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UFC’s Kevin Lee admires LeBron James for standing up to Donald Trump over divisive remarks
Filed under: Featured, News, UFC
UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee would like a bigger platform to speak on the social issues he cares about, which is why he admires NBA star Lebron James for using his to speak out against President Trump.
“I have so much respect for him, just because they can crush the man,” Lee said today during a media luncheon in support of his UFC 216 interim title fight against Tony Ferguson, which takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “It’s just a big inspiration for me, especially as a black athlete. For some reason, everybody wants to shy away from it.”
At a press conference last week, James doubled down on his response to Trump, who uninvited Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and berated NFL athletes for protesting social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. James criticized Trump for sowing division among Americans and said he used his recognition to remind the public that this is the greatest country in the world.
Lee (16-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) didn’t shy away when asked whether he’d discussed issues of race with UFC officials. He said he uses social media to do the same things James does, albeit on a smaller scale.
“Like, that’s just what I am, and the kids that are looking up to me,” Lee said. “I’m trying to show them, we came from the same situation – with a little bit of face-punching, a little bit of hard work and dedication, (expletive) can be different. The way to solve it is to change those kids’ minds.”
Lee hopes defeating Ferguson (22-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) to hold a UFC title will get him closer to being the kind of sports star people pay attention to, especially when it comes to issues within the black community.
“You can think like a world champion even when you’re 9 or 10 years old, and that’s what I try and bring to my brothers and people who grew up like me, too,” Lee said. “For somebody like Lebron James that’s been there and done that – the man has $1 billion dollars. He’s got enough money to run a country, and for him to stand up for the little folks, I really have to take my hat off to him.
“I just wish that my voice was a little bigger. I think with that gold belt around my waist, it will be.”
Check out the above video to hear more from Lee on his upcoming fight and issues outside the cage that motivate him.
And for more on UFC 216, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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