Knockouts don’t just happen in official fights; they can occur during training as well. Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee experienced this firsthand when he was unexpectedly dropped during a sparring session at Kill Cliff FC, the famous Florida-based gym where elite fighters such as Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns, Michael Chandler, and Ian Garry train.
Shocking Video Goes Viral
A viral video circulating on social media shows Lee attempting a flying knee, seemingly without real intent to strike, only to be caught off guard by his opponent, who countered with a powerful right hook, sending Lee to the ground.
KEVIN WATCH OUT pic.twitter.com/jeBJxFsknL
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 5, 2025
The quick but impactful moment sparked a wave of reactions from MMA fans, given Lee’s reputation in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Kevin Lee Responds to the Incident
Following the video’s release, Kevin Lee spoke out, admitting his own mistake in handling the situation:
“I can only blame myself. I showed mercy and pulled back on my knee strike, but it was just training, so I decided not to hit him. But I see now that I shouldn’t play around with guys like that. If they want to go hard in sparring, then I’ll start going hard too from now on!”
Kevin Lee’s Career Between UFC and Other Promotions
Kevin Lee’s last UFC bout took place in July 2023, where he suffered a first-round loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov, marking his third consecutive defeat in the promotion and leading to his departure. However, he bounced back on September 28 at Lights Out 17, securing a first-round submission victory against Thiago Oliveira, proving that he still has what it takes to compete.
Will this incident be just a minor mishap in Kevin Lee’s training, or is it a sign of decline in his career?
