UFC welterweight Rinat Fakhretdinov admitted to MMA.Metaratings.ru that he was surprised by the choice Kevin Lee as his next opponent.
– I was really surprised when they sent me a contract to fight Kevin Lee. I thought they would now say, “Okay, it’s a joke, Rinat, you have this fighter on you.” And then they gave it away. I say, “I agree. I don’t have a printer, but send it right away.” I spoke with his coaches, they were all in shock, they were waiting for Ferguson, then they gave Rinat. I think the UFC wants punish him that way, they don’t like it when you leave and come back, “Well, there you are, go, go lie down under the covers for a bit.”
To be honest, I thought and I think to the last that he will retire, because he doesn’t need this fight at all. You are Kevin Lee, you are waiting for Ferguson and they give you Rinat. Apparently, the organization decided he had to prove everything again. I haven’t had any opponents who have fought for the belt yet. For me, this is a huge motivation. Many say he is a downed pilot. But I don’t think so,” Fakhretdinov said.
Fakhretdinov and Lee will fight July 1 at UFC on ESPN 48. Kevin Lee left the UFC in 2021 but returned to the organization in February 2023. The Russian has 20 wins and one loss, while the American Lee has 19 wins and seven losses.
Metaratings.ru
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
