Although he recently signed with the PFL, Kevin Lee`s issues with the Global Fight League (GFL) are far from resolved. The fighter, who once contended for an interim UFC title, was expected to be a prominent figure in GFL`s planned launch this year.
GFL had announced initial events for May 24 and May 25, featuring several well-known MMA athletes. While Lee wasn`t slated for those specific dates, he was revealed as part of the GFL roster in December. Six months later, he is now preparing for his debut in the PFL against Gadzhi Rabadanov on June 20 at PFL 5.
Speaking on SiriusXM, Lee alleged that GFL exploited fighters by making financial promises they failed to keep. He indicated that he and his team are pursuing legal avenues.
“Over the past year or so, we had extensive discussions with GFL,” Lee stated. “They presented themselves as the next major promotion, and I strongly supported them. The conversations were promising, but there was no follow-through on the actions.”
Lee added, “I can`t provide too many details about the situation because we are now involved in legal proceedings. I will be suing them for defamation and extortion. I believe they exploited fighters like myself, using our names to position themselves as a significant entity in the MMA promotion world, yet nothing materialized from it.”
GFL founder Darren Owen claimed the event cancellations were due to a primary investor failing to meet their funding commitment, asserting that he still intends to launch the promotion eventually. However, Alan Belcher, another veteran fighter who had signed with GFL, publicly described the league as a “scam.”
Now on more stable ground with PFL, Lee is focused on his upcoming fight against Gadzhi Rabadanov, who is currently on an impressive 11-fight winning streak dating back to 2020. Lee is stepping in as a replacement and recognizes the significant opportunity at hand.
When asked if he views this fight as a chance to make a statement, Lee confirmed, “That`s precisely it, and that`s my sole focus. Nothing else matters. Even in the last six or seven months, my entire focus has been on returning to compete against a top lightweight, and this opponent fits that description.”
He continued, “Some people believe the UFC is the ultimate standard and holds all the best fighters, but Rabadanov is a truly top competitor. So, when I go out there and defeat him on June 20, I will prove that I remain one of the best lightweights globally. I feel many people have dismissed me or forgotten about me. I don`t know what they think, but it`s irrelevant to me. I see the doubts, and I hope they persist in doubting me, writing me off, and not considering me. I`m going to make a significant statement on June 20 when I step in there and dominate a lightweight who has consistently proven himself. Once I stop him in the manner I know I can, I will demonstrate that I am still among the top lightweights, just as I was a few years ago.”
Murray Blackwood