UFC rising star Kevin Lee says Khabib Nurmagomedov is running scared ... and he's ready to expose the so-called #1 contender for Conor McGregor's lightweight belt.
Lee told TMZ Sports he's been gunning for Khabib forever ... but "the man just won't sign to fight."
Of course, Khabib's had his own issues -- he was hospitalized for a botched weight cut right before he was set to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 209. He was pulled from the fight and has been laying low ever since.
So, what's Lee's master plan?