Kevin Lee: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje didn’t seem ‘championship-level’

[La Paix]

Kevin Lee was as entertained as everyone else on Saturday night, seeing Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje throw down for the better part of four rounds. That UFC on FOX 29 main event clash saw Poirier come out on top via TKO and pick up his seventh win in eight bouts (excluding one no-contest) and afterwards “The Diamond” spoke about wanting a crack at lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

On that front, Lee thinks the hype from this weekend has gone too far.

“The Motown Phenom” appeared on The MMA Hour on Monday, where he made it clear that while Poirier and Gaethje put on a fun fight, he doesn’t think they belong in the upper echelon of the 155-pound division.

“I seen it,” Lee said. “I know Poirier was calling for a title fight and all this but I don’t know, it just seems like those dudes are in a different category. Can you really look at it and say Poirier’s a championship-level fighter? I just don’t see it. He looked good. He did good versus Gaethje, it was an exciting fight, I think he should go out and look for more exciting fights, but it didn’t really seem like a championship-level fight to me to be honest.”

Kevin Lee: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje didn’t seem ‘championship-level’

 

[Gay For Longo]

Racist

 

[Howard Moon]

“He makes exciting fights, he should go out there and keep doing that, but leave the real fighting and the real championship-level s**t to the other guys.”

That is fucking disrespectful. I like this guy less every time he speaks.

 

[SongExotic2]

Lol Kevin Lee


He has never defeated anyone on the level of Dustin or Justin.


He drinking that haterade

 

[ECC170]

Maybe if they would've gassed after mounting one another he would've considered it "championship" level.

 

[ECC170]

“He makes exciting fights, he should go out there and keep doing that, but leave the real fighting and the real championship-level s**t to the other guys.”

That is fucking disrespectful. I like this guy less every time he speaks.

Barboza is gonna crush him Saturday

 

[Kingtony87]

Neither was him vs tony

 

[Hwoarang]

I'm happy with gaetjhe shutting Lee the fuck up for his next fight.

 

[RaginCajun]

He is no GSP-

View: https://youtu.be/gX3sEGtG8mQ

 

[Dick Niaz]

I don’t know if there is anything more entertaining in MMA right now than Kevin Lee trying to create the narrative that he, Tony, and Khabib are the elite in the division, and are separated from everyone else in the pack. Dude, you got subbed out of that conversation! Shut your mouth, pay your dues and get back on that ladder.

 

[Jdog93]

Lol Kevin Lee


He has never defeated anyone on the level of Dustin or Justin.


He drinking that haterade

 

[Nemo?]

I don’t know if there is anything more entertaining in MMA right now than Kevin Lee trying to create the narrative that he, Tony, and Khabib are the elite in the division, and are separated from everyone else in the pack. Dude, you got subbed out of that conversation! Shut your mouth, pay your dues and get back on that ladder.

dude Kevin Lee fought tony with death staph on his chest and gave tony trouble, we can't comment on his status until after this fight.

 

[La Paix]

To be honest i think he's got a point. That was a super fun fight to watch but didn't look championship level to me either.

 

[Wild]

Lee will smoke Barboza

 

[Dick Niaz]

dude Kevin Lee fought tony with death staph on his chest and gave tony trouble, we can't comment on his status until after this fight.

No one is taking anything away from his talent, just the self-obsessed way he presents himself. Lots of fighters fight sick, injured, have an off night, etc. Most of them don’t act like they are at the cool kids table and everyone else besides them and the champ(s) don’t belong. A little humility goes a long way.

 

[Nemo?]

No one is taking anything away from his talent, just the self-obsessed way he presents himself. Lots of fighters fight sick, injured, have an off night, etc. Most of them don’t act like they are at the cool kids table and everyone else besides them and the champ(s) don’t belong. A little humility goes a long way.

Conor, mayweather.....

Kevin's after cheques and being the best, he's said it since day 1.... cocky? sure but you can't blame him.

rumble young man rumble.

 

[Dick Niaz]

Lee’s weigh-in just didn’t seem like a championship level weigh-in to me.

 

[1031]

Lee will smoke Barboza

I think it's likely Lee will attempt the same style of strategy that Khabib utilized.
If this happens then I would bet heavily on Barboza koing Lee.

 

[La Paix]

I think it's likely Lee will attempt the same style of strategy that Khabib utilized.
If this happens then I would bet heavily on Barboza koing Lee.

I don't see this. Kevin has much more well rounded striking than Khabib and is more aggressive in using it to secure TDs. Doubtful Lee will try to beat him standing but he won't be hair marching forward shooting for a single from way out. Kevin will get Edson moving backwards early on, once close to the fence grind him up before taking him down for a sub attempts or 5. I like Barboza, guys super tough but he's too one dimensional still.

 

[1031]

I don't see this. Kevin has much more well rounded striking than Khabib and is more aggressive in using it to secure TDs. Doubtful Lee will try to beat him standing but he won't be hair marching forward shooting for a single from way out. Kevin will get Edson moving backwards early on, once close to the fence grind him up before taking him down for a sub attempts or 5. I like Barboza, guys super tough but he's too one dimensional still.

To be honest, that sounds a lot like what Khabib did in his match against Edwin.

My hunch is that both guys are going to prepare for the same thing as what happened in Barboza's last fight and I think Barboza has the "benefit" of having fought Khabib and being better prepared for that type of fight.

*Disclaimer*
I don't want to come across as one of those guys who is emotionally invested in what happens and how it happens. I am interested to see if my hunch plays out correctly but that's about it.

 

[Robbie Hart]

Barboza is gonna crush him Saturday

Barboza doesn’t carry the same nasty, evil mindset I do.....if he did, he would aim to kick lee’s face off in the fight

 

[Dick Niaz]

This will be Lee's last fight at LW (or 2lbs above LW). Dude had to weigh in twice against Tony, and missed this time. I wonder if this failed cut will impact his cardio.

 

[La Paix]

To be honest, that sounds a lot like what Khabib did in his match against Edwin.

My hunch is that both guys are going to prepare for the same thing as what happened in Barboza's last fight and I think Barboza has the "benefit" of having fought Khabib and being better prepared for that type of fight.

*Disclaimer*
I don't want to come across as one of those guys who is emotionally invested in what happens and how it happens. I am interested to see if my hunch plays out correctly but that's about it.

Ignore the second half of the gif, I'm just pointing out the Khabib TD here.

That's his go to every time, and it works wonders of course. With Lee I don't see him locking up singles near as much, seems to be better at powering through doubles or control the hips. If Lee gets the back shown to him like Barboza does here to Khabib he's gonna get it taken and be in trouble with Kevin looking for another RNC.

 

[1031]

Ignore the second half of the gif, I'm just pointing out the Khabib TD here.

That's his go to every time, and it works wonders of course. With Lee I don't see him locking up singles near as much, seems to be better at powering through doubles or control the hips. If Lee gets the back shown to him like Barboza does here to Khabib he's gonna get it taken and be in trouble with Kevin looking for another RNC.

Fair points.

 

[Yossarian]

WHat a bitch he is now.