“Killa” Keith Lee is off to a great start to the year. Lee recently is won his Bellator debut by unanimous decision in the bantamweight division against Shawn Bunch at Bellator 239 on February 21. In 2019, Lee had difficulty getting into fights and wanted to prove that he can be among the elite in any MMA organization. Now Lee is in the mix in a bantamweight division without a champion or a clear challenger.
Lee has been working hard to get to where he is today. It’s been a five-year journey from the amateur MMA promotion Tuff N UFF to Bellator at 23 years old. The journey of trying to make it in MMA and provide for his family was difficult at times, but Lee had continued to strive to be great. When speaking on how he continues to stay motivated even in bad times, Lee references his ability to “Stay positive,” “Putting his faith in God,” and speaking his goals into existence.
Lee also credited his mother’s neutering and believed that he and his brother would be successful during their childhood, helping his mindset. “She’s been telling me since I was a kid since I can remember that we were going to be famous, we are going to be great. And this was at a time I was in middle school, and I was getting kicked out every day.” Lee then went on to say, “I feel like she always knew, and that has just been instilled in us. And I always knew that I’ve been great; I didn’t know why and now I’m starting to figure out why.”
Lee has a win against an established bantamweight, the MMA community’s attention, and will also be a father soon. In a past interview with MMAScene, Lee said, “I actually got the news the same day I got the news about Bellator, so it was an emotional rollercoaster for me. God works in mysterious ways, and he does everything on purpose.”
With Fatherhood looming and now being a contender in the bantamweight division, Lee 2020 is looking bright. Lee is taking all of his early 2020 success in, but Lee’s mindset remains the same, and he believes this was meant to happen. “I’m taking it day by day. I’m blessed beyond measures. God put everything in my life for a reason and when it’s time for me to have it. I am just going day by day.” Lee also went on to say, “I think God knows I’m ready to be a dad, and I think I’ll be a great father. And God knows I’m ready to be at the top level of my game or at least ascending to the top of my game.”
For my full interview with Lee, check out the video below.