Update With Lee King on New Opponent, Evan Cutts

By Lance Edwards

Lee King (16-16) has been unlucky with opponents for his fight at Legacy 11. King was originally due to fight Alex Morono; however, Morono pulled out due to injury. Following Morono, Jamie Varner, a WEC and UFC veteran, was due to face King, but was signed by the UFC. In what will hopefully be the final change to King’s opposition, he is now due to face Evan Cutts (3-0). I caught up with Lee, who has recently relocated to Glendale, AZ.

Legacy: How was the move to Glendale?

King: The move was okay, but it’s a long drive to get here. I’m settling in okay, and am training out here at The Lab. Training’s going great. I’m training three to four hours in the morning and doing my road work at night.

Legacy: Who are you training with there?

King: A bunch of guys; Ben Henderson’s here, Efrain Escudero, and, funnily enough, Jamie Varner is here training. There are a nice bunch of guys here as well as them; there are some top wrestlers and submission guys, so I’ve been grappling a lot.

Rick Roufus is doing the advanced kickboxing. I can’t believe I’m training with the guy. He’s a legend. He’s been giving me some good advice on my kickboxing. I’ve been working with John Crouch as well. He’s helped me a lot with my ground game. Everything has been coming together.

Legacy: Your opponent changed from Varner to Evan Cutts. What are your thoughts on the fight now?

King: He’s a big, strong, young guy; he’s a tough guy. I saw a couple of his fights, and he’s a strong submission guy. I expect he’ll try and take it to the ground, but everyone does everything these days, so you never know what will happen. I’m sure he’ll stand with me before trying to take me down, but at some point he’ll try.

I’m prepared and ready; I’ve been pushing it really hard in training. I’m taking all my fights this year really seriously. I’m not a fan of doing road work, but I’ve still been doing it every night. I’m taking it seriously.

Legacy: Are you teaching at all?

King: I’m not. I found that that really cut into my training time for me; so, I’m not teaching anyone, and I’m just focused on my own training.

Legacy: Good luck, we’ll see you soon

King: I’m flying in on Wednesday, so it won’t be long.