Kevin Lee (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Kevin Lee isn’t planning to continue fighting at welterweight after all, as “The Motown Phenom” has decided to return to the lightweight division. In addition, Lee is hoping to lock up a bout with rising lightweight, Islam Makhachev.

Lee moved up to welterweight earlier this year but was submitted by Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Rochester in May. Since then, the 27-year-old had said he plans to stay at 170. But, in a more recent interview with ESPN, Lee reported he’s decided he wants to return to lightweight with the goal of fighting champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

In addition, the 17-5 fighter said this (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“I hear they’re going to Moscow and I hear Islam (Makhachev) might want a fight,” Lee said “Me and Islam on a co-main in Moscow sounds good to me.”

“People see him as the next Khabib,” Lee said. “He’s coming up. I’ve kind of always had my eye on him. MMA is a very small circle. We know a lot of the same people. I hear rumblings Islam can fight. I’m like, ‘Oh, he can fight? OK. We’ll see.’ Khabib would probably be in his corner. I’ll be training with Georges [St-Pierre]. There’s talks of trying to make Khabib and Georges happen. There are a lot of little storylines there. Lot of motivation in a fight like that.”

Makhachev (18-1) fought Davi Ramos at UFC 242 last weekend and worked his way to a decision win.