Slow-motion footage shows devastating impact of Kevin Lee head kick that destroyed undefeated UFC star

Incredible footage of Kevin Lee’s most famous knockout shows why he was once touted as a future UFC champion.

‘The Motown Phenom’ will return to MMA’s premier promotion when he takes on Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Vegas 76 in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

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Kevin Lee was cut by the UFC in 2021 following a run of one win from five fightsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Lee was released by the UFC in November 2021 after failing to live up to his potential in back-to-back losses against Charles Oliveira and Daniel Rodriguez.

The 30-year-old will always be remembered fondly by MMA fans for what he did against undefeated lightweight prospect Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244 a couple of years prior.

At the mid-way point of the first round, Lee landed an overhand right before following it up with a left head kick that instantly knocked out his 13-0 opponent.

Gillespie dropped statuesque into the cage before hitting the floor and receiving a wildly unnecessary follow-up strike from Lee as the referee stepped in to wave the fight off.

Slow-motion footage of the devastating knockout was played at Madison Square Garden and earned gasps from those in attendance before going viral on social media.

It shows the exact moment Lee lands his kick and contorts the face off of Gillespie who literally had the snot knocked out of him in his lone career loss.

‘The Gift’ returned 18 months later with an impressive Fight of the Night win over perennial contender Carlos Diego Ferreira but he hasn’t fought since and was recently removed from the rankings due to inactivity.

Meanwhile, Lee failed to capitalise on his spectacular victory and actually ended his first UFC stint on a run of just one win in five fights.

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The ‘Motown Phenom’ landed a head kick that was so clean it sent Gillespie flyingCredit: Getty

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Lee’s knockout is considered to be one of the best in recent yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Last March, he got his career back on track by outpointing MMA icon Diego Sanchez over the course of three rounds on a card promoted by former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The 19-7 fighter is glad to be back in Dana White’s league but disappointed he’s fighting at the UFC APEX first used to host fights during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee said: “I wish it was in front of more fans. I don’t know how many people are gonna be at APEX, but it’s kind of stupid. I don’t know what we’re doing. You know what I mean?

“The pandemic is over. I don’t know if people got the message or, you know, if they sent out the telegram, but the pandemic is over. I don’t know what we’re still doing here.

“I get that there’s money to be had, but it’s kind of stupid. It’s a different energy when it’s thousands and thousands of people screaming. It’s a different level of feeling.”