UFC 244 results: Kevin Lee demolishes Gregor Gillespie with vicious head kick KO

Kevin Lee re-introduced himself to the lightweight division in a big way on Saturday night.

“The Motown Phenom” earned a potential knockout of the year after demolishing previously undefeated prospect Gregor Gillespie with a picture perfect head kick at 2:47 into the opening round at UFC 244. After two losses in a row — one at lightweight and one at welterweight — Lee returned to 155 pounds with a much needed win after working under head coach Firas Zahabi for the first time.

“I needed to make [a statement] tonight,” Lee said. “My back was against the wall. I wanted to come out here and put on a showcase. I’m not ready to celebrate. I want to get back in here and do this sh*t again.”

In a fight between two top grapplers, Lee and Gillespie seemed content to trade jabs on the feet through the first minute of the opening round. Lee had the reach advantage but he ate several stiff jabs from Gillespie that opened a cut on his fight during the one of the early exchanges.

Gillespie did try for one half-hearted takedown but he didn’t utilize his wrestling outside of that lone attempt. Lee made him pay for that decision by constantly head hunting with power punches that eventually set up the fight ending sequence.

After landing several overhand rights, Lee found a home for that punch one more time, which turned Gillespie around and set him up for the head kick that followed.

Lee’s foot connected flush as Gillespie’s jaw swung around before he dropped violently to the canvas as the referee rushed into stop the fight.

The win puts Lee back on the map at 155 pounds after a tough two-fight losing streak while Gillespie will have to recover from his first loss and first knockout when he makes his return to action next year.