Rinat Fakhretdinov spoiled former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee’s return to the promotion.
In the feature prelim of UFC on ESPN 47 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Fakhretdinov rocked, dropped, and then choked Lee unconscious in the first round. It was a flawless performance for Fakhretdinov, who made a massive statement against a well-known fighter in Lee.
Unfortunately for Lee, his return to the UFC could not have gone worse after a one-fight stint outside of the promotion.
Check out the reaction on social media to the fight and the finish below:
Jake Hadley
Interesting fight this. #UFCVegas76
— Jake Hadley (@JakeHadleyMMA) July 1, 2023
Al Iaquinta
Another “New Kevin Lee” walking to the cage.
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) July 1, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Wow
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 1, 2023
Alan Jouban
He’s a problem! #UFCVegas76
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 1, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Man I feel for Kevin that was a super tough debut this guys a killer
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 1, 2023
Jake Hadley
Wow that's a statement #UFCVegas76
— Jake Hadley (@JakeHadleyMMA) July 1, 2023
Terrance McKinney
That man is dangerous
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 1, 2023
Chris Curtis
Damn…
Gutted for Kevin. Hats of to Rinat. That was perfect brother— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) July 1, 2023
The finish
Rinat Fakhretdinov puts Kevin Lee to sleep inside the first minute of the fight 😳 #UFCVegas76 pic.twitter.com/pno0kuqSvP
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 1, 2023
Cody Durden
What a straight right! Right down the pipe! #UFCVegas76
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) July 1, 2023
Aljamain Sterling
Rinat. Just wow! #UFCVegas76
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 1, 2023
Luke Thomas
And while the guillotine came from the head-first scramble, what set it all in motion was the big cross. Striking defense has been one of Lee's more longstanding issues.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) July 1, 2023
John Hyon Ko
Khamzat, Shavkat and Rinat. Telling you now he is in the same air. #UFCVegas76
— Hyon Ko (@KoreanJohn_) July 1, 2023
Nolan King
Rinat Fakhretdinov just put Kevin Lee out cold super early in the fight. Club and (technical) sub. Violent. #UFCVegas76
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) July 1, 2023
Official result
#UFCVegas76 results: Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Kevin Lee via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:55
Full coverage: https://t.co/QZ8JpvBj7s pic.twitter.com/ny4IAXiGWT
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 1, 2023
