Having her fight at UFC on FOX 31 fall through at the last moment, KGB Lee is joining UFC on ESPN 1 against Ashlee Evans-Smith.
After seeing a recent bout with Jessica-Rose Clark fall through when ‘Jessy-Jess’ was hospitalized after suffering complications from her weight cut, Andrea Lee (or KGB Lee if you prefer) has found herself a new dance partner. Lee (9-2) will now step in to face Ashlee Evans-Smith at UFC Phoenix, a.k.a. UFC on ESPN 1 in February. The show is the UFC’s debut on the main ESPN network. MyMMANews reporter Mike Heck was first to report the development.
Murphy was forced off the card as she needs additional time to heal from foot surgery.
Lee had been set to face Clark at the UFC’s final bow on FOX last weekend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, Clark was transported to hospital ahead of weigh-ins, and later announced that she would return to bantamweight. That left KGB Lee, a budding star in the UFC’s flyweight division who has gone through a series of misfortunes in the past year or so, without an opponent. Far too close to weigh-ins to secure a replacement, Lee has opted for the next best opportunity, moving from the final FOX card to the first ESPN card.
Ashlee Evans-Smith (6-3) last fought against Bec Rawlings at UFC 223 in April, earning a unanimous decision win. Smith’s career as a pro goes back to 2013, but she was competing in the sport as an amateur back in 2010. Smith is 3-3 in the UFC, after starting her career 3-0. She is the only woman to defeat transgender fighter Fallon Fox, via TKO at CFA 12 in 2013.
UFC Phoenix takes place February 17 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ.
