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UFC releases former interim title challenger Kevin Lee

Chris Unger / UFC / Getty

The UFC released Kevin Lee on Tuesday after the former interim lightweight title challenger spent almost eight years with the promotion, officials told MMA Fighting's Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz.

Lee made 18 trips to the Octagon. He last fought in August when he dropped a unanimous decision to Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night. The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended Lee for six months following the bout after he tested positive for Adderall.

"The Motown Phenom" made his promotional debut at UFC 169 in February 2014. Lee looked to be a top prospect early on and challenged Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight championship in October 2017 but lost via submission. He went on to drop four of his next six fights after Ferguson.

Lee holds notable wins over Michael Chiesa, Edson Barboza, and Gregor Gillespie.

The 29-year-old spent most of his UFC career at lightweight but recently dabbled in the welterweight division.

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