Every MMA fan knows how messy their favorite and most talent-rich lightweight division is. No doubt, this is one of the best mixed martial arts weight class but it has muddled even more for a while. And considering this, Kevin Lee has seemingly accepted his fate after years of lobbying for a 165-pound division. Reportedly, Kevin Lee will move up to 170 and is set to make his welterweight debut in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 9.  Lee will take on Rafael dos Anjos as the first ever UFC Fight Night card from Rochester, N.Y. at the Blue Cross Arena on May 18.

As of now, this move to welterweight makes sense for Lee. There’s a lot of uncertainty that has resulted in a logjam atop the UFC’s 155-pound roster. According to the MMA Hour, Lee on Monday said, “A lot of [the lightweight division] kinda went stagnant, which is a real shame. I mean, it’s always been one of the best divisions in the UFC. There’s just so many ups and so many questions. And part of me was like, this is where I said I wanted to be, and this is where I started and where I’m gonna finish, especially with fighting Khabib. But when I looked at it, like, okay, I’m not going to sit around and wait. It’s too many politics going on. Like you said, Max is now fighting Dustin, Tony’s sitting out — which, I’m sad about that whole situation — and all these other things and nobody wants to fight, and guys only want these certain fights just to push them up, and Conor’s kinda calling the shots still. And I’m like, you know what, f*ck all of this. I’m mostly worried about me anyway. To me, I’m the top dog. So it’s what’s best for my career and going forward.”

The politics and uncertainty have made Lee unclear about his path in the lightweight. Now, he is all ready to try his hand out in the welterweight division. Adding on he said, “Those fights are still going to be out there. I still am 100 percent confident I can make 155 again, but we’ll see after. I prefer this fight at 170; 155, they need to get their shit together. That’s all. I think it’ll come together towards the end of this year, but I wasn’t about to sit around and wait for them.”

Lee, the 26-year-old Michigan native has cleared that his move to 170 pounds isn’t permanent. “When I look at other guys, maybe [I’ll be on the smaller end of welterweight], but Pettis just showed too, this last Saturday, sometimes that size really doesn’t matter, especially when you’re talking about speed and durability. … I feel like I can out-technique a lot of these guys. When I see even a lot of their wrestling at 170, a lot of it is very basic. So I feel like technique, speed, and durability will outlast their strength. I’ll let you know after May 18th how it all goes down. I’m kinda figuring sh*t out with you,” he said.

Picture credit: Bloody Elbow