Following a difficult knockout loss at PFL 6 last Friday, Kevin Lee is reportedly considering his future in mixed martial arts, citing significant injuries sustained during the bout.
In his PFL debut, Lee faced the highly-rated Gadzhi Rabadanov in the main event, a semifinal match for the lightweight tournament. Rabadanov dominated the fight, ultimately knocking out Lee in the first round.
Reacting to the loss, Lee posted a statement online questioning his ability to withstand strikes and noting a decline in his physical capability. “I’m not a coward. At least I can say that I tried. I shot for the stars,” Lee wrote. “My legs just aren’t what they used to be. I can’t absorb shots anymore and honestly I don’t know if it will come back.”
Lee also disclosed that the loss resulted in a jaw injury severe enough to require surgical wiring for stabilization.
This period marks a challenging phase for Lee, who was once seen as a fighter with immense potential. He has now lost four of his last six fights, including stoppage defeats, with his recent wins coming outside of major promotions like the UFC and PFL against lower-ranked opposition.
Meanwhile, Gadzhi Rabadanov will advance to the PFL lightweight championship final, where he is set to compete for the $500,000 prize.
