The argument can be made that Kevin Lee has emerged as the most promising young lightweight in the sport, and his latest performance did nothing to diminish his stock.
Chiesa had no answers for the combination of speed, skill and athleticism “The Motown Phenom” brought to the table. Lee executed a takedown inside the first 90 seconds, settled in top position after denying an attempted triangle choke and ultimately climbed to the back. His position secured with a body triangle, he drew blood with heavy ground-and-pound and snaked his arms into place for the choke. Soon after, Yamasaki was on the scene to rescue Chiesa, “The Ultimate Fighter 15” winner’s protests falling on deaf ears.
In the aftermath of UFC Fight Night “Chiesa vs. Lee,” here are five matches that ought to be made:
Kevin Lee vs. Michael Johnson-Justin Gaethje winner: Lee has looked phenomenal since his surprising technical knockout loss to Leandro Santos at UFC 194 in December 2015. The 24-year-old Xtreme Couture standout has responded well to the unexpected adversity, rattling off victories over Efrain Escudero, Jake Matthews, Magomed Mustafaev and Francisco Trinaldo before he choked Chiesa. Only Escudero managed to go the distance with him. Needless to say, Lee has put himself in position to make major waves in the lightweight division. Johnson and Gaethje will do battle in “The Ultimate Fighter 25” Finale main event on July 7 in Las Vegas.
Tim Boetsch vs. Sam Alvey-Rashad Evans winner: A steppingstone Boetsch was not. “The Barbarian” took out an overweight Johny Hendricks in the middleweight co-headliner, as he dazed the four-time NCAA All-American wrestler with a head kick and then mopped up the rest with follow-up punches in the second round. Boetsch, 36, has gone 3-1 since he returned to 185 pounds a little less than a year ago, his submission loss to Ronald Souza at UFC 208 offset by victories over Hendricks, Rafael Natal and Josh Samman. Alvey has been booked opposite Evans at UFC Fight Night 114 in August.
Felice Herrig vs. Randa Markos: Herrig picked off yet another undefeated prospect -- she stunned Alexa Grasso in February -- by capturing a unanimous decision over Justine Kish in their women’s strawweight showcase. The Team Curran export has made herself a factor at 115 pounds with a three-fight winning streak, her victory against Kish coming on the heels of back-to-back wins over Grasso and Kailin Curran. Herrig, who turns 33 in September, has quietly compiled a 4-1 mark in the UFC. Markos last appeared at UFC Fight Night 105 on Feb. 19, when she eked out a split decision against Carla Esparza in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Dominick Reyes vs. Khalil Rountree-Paul Craig winner: A walking, talking highlight reel, Reyes did not disappoint in his first Octagon appearance. If anything, he exceeded expectations. The undefeated Californian laid waste to Joachim Christensen in just 29 seconds, a pair of devastating straight lefts and some follow-up ground-and-pound helping him improve to 7-0 with six finishes. Reyes, 27, has now stopped four of his first seven opponents in less than a minute -- a run of dominance that includes his “Knockout of the Year” contender at Legacy Fighting Alliance 13 just three weeks ago. Rountree and Craig will collide at UFC Fight Night 113 on July 13 in Scotland.
Tim Means vs. Mike Perry-Thiago Alves winner: Means keeps plugging along at 170 pounds, and while he may never reach the division’s upper tier, he has carved out quite a niche for himself. The former two-division King of the Cage champion improved to 9-5 with one no-contest in 15 appearances under the UFC flag, as he walked away with a unanimous decision over Alex Garcia in a featured welterweight clash. Means overcame a slow start to post 29-28 scores across the board. Perry and Alves are expected to square off at UFC 215 on Aug. 19.