UFC and PFL veteran Kevin Lee addresses PFL-MVP merger, hints at interest in MVP MMA commentary role
One-time interim UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee has weighed in on the much-discussed merger between the PFL and MVP MMA.
Kevin Lee has hinted at his desire to work with the newly expanded MVP MMA organization, following the acquisition of the PFL (Professional Fighters League) by MVP (Most Valuable Promotions).
The Grand Rapids, Michigan-born fighter also suggested that he might be looking to secure a role as an analyst/commentator at MVP MMA, rather than compete as a fighter.
Alternatively, there's speculation that Lee could possibly be interested in fighting as well as analysis/commentary in MVP MMA.
Kevin Lee asserts his interest in MVP MMA after the PFL-MVP merger
The PFL was notably founded in 2017 following the acquisition of another MMA organization, the WSOF (World Series of Fighting), with the WSOF having produced prominent MMA fighters such as Justin Gaethje, who later transitioned to other MMA organizations.
Additionally, the PFL acquired Bellator MMA in 2023. As such, some fans and experts seemed to have been caught by surprise when the PFL brass recently confirmed that their organization is being merged with MVP (Most Valuable Promotions).
The MVP sports and entertainment organization was co-founded by influencer-cum-boxer Jake Paul and ex-UFC CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Nakisa Bidarian in 2021.
They've put forth several boxing events over the years, even breaking into MMA this year with MVP MMA 1, which was headlined by former UFC megastar "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey and the legendary Gina Carano in May.
Well, following MVP MMA's success with the Rousey-Carano card -- which also featured Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, and others -- the organization has merged with the PFL and has promised to compete against the UFC. The new entity is set to function as MVP MMA, with the complete takeover expected to materialize in 2027.
One-time interim UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee later took to X and wrote:
"I want to get involved with PFL / MVP now that it's @MostVpromotions I think I can really add some promotion to the media for the other fighters."
Seemingly giving props to the UFC, "The Motown Phenom" implied that the PFL-MVP merger could help the sport of MMA as a whole. He noted:
"This is a great time to make the sport even bigger! I've been advocating for the sport for over 12 years. No doubt the UFC has taken things to incredible heights."
Lee added, "With the right approach @jakepaul and MVP can make the future brighter."
I want to get involved with PFL / MVP now that it’s @MostVpromotions I think I can really add some promotion to the media for the other fighters.
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) August 5, 2026
This is a great time to make the sport even bigger! Ive been advocating for the sport for over 12 years. No doubt the UFC has taken…
Furthermore, upon a netizen insinuating that he was simply seeking a huge payday, Lee wrote, "They don't have to pay me a dime. I just want to get access and get involved."
Lee also reposted an X post, wherein a netizen proposed that the veteran MMA fighter ought to be given an opportunity to commentate in the PFL/MVP MMA organization.
Check out the screenshots of Lee's X posts below:
Kevin Lee's recent MMA run saw him compete in a fight under the PFL banner
Kevin Lee was once beheld as one of the top prospects in the sport of mixed martial arts. The wrestling savant even faced the great Tony Ferguson for the interim UFC lightweight belt at UFC 216 back in October of 2017, but he fell via third-round submission to Ferguson.
Lee has competed just six times since 2020. He departed the UFC after losing to Daniel Rodriguez in 2021, fighting in Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC the following year.
His return to the UFC in 2023 ended in a submission defeat at the hands of Rinat Fakhretdinov inside the Octagon. He retired from MMA after that, but a comeback ensued in 2024. He's 1-1 in his pair of MMA bouts since unretiring.
Also, Lee's most recent fight saw him compete in the 2025 PFL lightweight tournament, in which he was beaten by TKO in the very first round against Gadzhi Rabadanov. As of this time, it's unclear as to whether the 33-year-old Lee would choose to pursue a spot as a fighter on MVP MMA events, or as a commentator/analyst, or perhaps both.
