UFC 249 looks to be getting a pivotal lightweight bout added, as Kevin Lee has accepted a bout with Islam Makhachev, and is waiting for him to do the same.
A lightweight bout between Kevin Lee and Islam Makhachev is in the works for UFC 249 on April 18, 2020. This is the matchup fight fans have been begging for. The news was first reported by Helen Yee Saturday evening. Per Lee, they are just waiting on Makhachev to sign the agreement.
Kevin Lee tells me his next fight offered will be against Islam Mackhachev in the Khabib vs Tony Ferguson card in April in Brooklyn. According to Kevin, they’re waiting on Islam and not sure what the holdup is. Interview coming shortly.
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) December 22, 2019
Kevin Lee (#8 Ranked UFC Lightweight) currently holds a 18-5 professional MMA record. He has won seven of his last ten bouts, with his last loss coming at the hands of Rafael Dos Anjos in May via fourth-round triangle choke. Lee is coming off a highlight-reel head kick knockout over then-undefeated Gregor Gillespie in November. The dos Anjos bout took place at welterweight, then Lee swiftly returned to lightweight after the loss, knocking out Gillespie in his return.
Islam Makhachev (#15 Ranked UFC Lightweight) currently holds a 16-1 professional MMA record, winning his last six fights. His only professional loss was against Adriano Martins in May of 2015. In September, Makhachev defeated Davi Ramos via unanimous decision.
You can watch the interview with Kevin Lee and Helen Yee here.
UFC 249 will take place in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on April 18. The only bout attached to the card at the moment is the highly-anticipated lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and challenger Tony Ferguson.
We’re all hoping this fight between Lee and Makhachev comes to fruition. What are your thoughts and who do you think comes out victorious?
