Tag: Drakkar Klose

UFC on ESPN 22 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Main event nets $32,000

UFC on ESPN 22 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 22 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $142,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 22 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 22 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $16,000
[autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Andrei Arlovski[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Chase Sherman[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Abdul Razak Alhassan[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Jacob Malkoun[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Luis Pena[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Alex Munoz[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Justine Kish[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Alexandr Romanov[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Juan Espino[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jessica Penne[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Bartosz Fabinski[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Dakota Bush[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Tony Gravely[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Anthony Birchak[/autotag]: $6,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

  • “UFC on ESPN 22: Whittaker vs. Gastelum” – $142,500
  • “UFC on ABC 2: Vettori vs. Holland” – $182,500

Year-to-date total: $325,000
Program-to-date total: $325,000

Jeremy Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose called off as UFC on ESPN 22 goes to air

The grudge match will have to wait, as Jeremey Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose was called off just before the start of UFC on ESPN 22.

LAS VEGAS – The grudge match will have to wait.

Just minutes before the start of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 22 event, [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] was pulled from the lineup because of an undisclosed injury to Klose. The announcement was made as UFC on ESPN 22 went to air from the UFC Apex.

While the matchup already looked enticing on paper, interest grew greater at Friday’s ceremonial faceoffs where they came nose to nose before “Lil’ Heathen” decided that was just a touch too close for his liking. Stephens then put two hands on Klose’s chest and shoved him across the stage.

Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC) was looking to return to the lightweight division for the first time since 2103, seeking to snap a disappointing four-fight losing streak. He insisted during fight week that some major life changes in recent months have him more focused than ever.

Meanwhile, Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) was hoping to rebound from a frustrating March 2020 loss to Beneil Dariush. Prior to the setback, Klose had enjoyed a three-fight winning streak.

With the change, the complete UFC on ESPN 22 lineup:

MAIN CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum
  • Andrei Arlovski vs. Chase Sherman
  • Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Jacob Malkoun
  • Tracy Cortez vs. Justine Kish
  • Alexander Munoz vs. Luis Pena

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET)

  • Juan Espino vs. Alexandr Romanov
  • Loopy Godinez vs. Jessica Penne
  • Bartosz Fabinski vs. Gerald Meerschaert
  • Dakota Bush vs. Austin Hubbard
  • Anthony Birchak vs. Tony Gravely

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UFC on ESPN 22: Jeremy Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 22 fight between Jeremy Stephens and Drakkar Klose, with MMA odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a lightweight bout on Saturday’s main card, Jeremy Stephens and Drakkar Klose meet at UFC on ESPN 22 – also known as UFC Vegas 24 – at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, and the main card begins at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+. Below, we analyze the UFC on ESPN 22 Stephens vs. Klose odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

UFC on ESPN 22 Stephens vs. Klose Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:12 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Stephens -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Klose +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -150 | Under +125)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -135 | No +110)

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UFC on ESPN 22 Stephens vs. Klose: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Records: Stephens 28-18 | Klose 11-2-1

Fight result (2-way line or money line)

KLOSE (+100) is the play here on the 2-way line, as he looks to rebound from a KO/TKO loss to Beneil Dariush last time out at UFC 248. Prior to that, he had ticked off three straight unanimous-decision victories.

Klose holds a 3.89-to-3.18 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, and he is way more accurate, too. He has a 61.94-to-48.38 significant strikes accuracy percentage lead.

Stephens limps in just 0-4-1 across the past five fights, including a KO/TKO loss to Calvin Kattar last time out at UFC 249 on May 9, 2020. His last victory was over three years ago on Feb. 24, 2018, against Josh Emmett via KO/TKO.

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Over/Under (O/U)

Five of the last seven fights for Stephens have finished inside the distance, while four of Klose’s five fights at the UFC level have gone the distance.

I think Klose controls the tempo of this fight, and he looks to keep it upright. He will likely be trying to wow the judges with his technical aspects, and will not get the finish.

As such, KLOSE ON POINTS (+220) to more than double up is a good play.

YES (-135): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is also worth a roll of the dice. OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-150) is worth a play, too.

To watch the early prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

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Video: Jeremy Stephens shoves Drakkar Klose at UFC on ESPN 22 ceremonial faceoffs

A battle between two lightweight sluggers just got a little more heated.

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LAS VEGAS – A battle between two lightweight sluggers just got a little more heated.

At Friday’s UFC on ESPN 22 ceremonial faceoffs at the UFC Apex, [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] and [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] went nose-to-nose before “Lil’ Heathen” decided that was just a touch to close for his liking. Stephens then put two hands on his opponent’s chest and shoved him across the stage.

Klose was visibly angered by the move, but UFC security personnel quickly intervened and kept the two separated as they were ushered off-stage.

Stephens and Klose compete in the co-main event of Saturday’s event, which also takes place at the UFC Apex. Prelims air on ESPN and ESPN+.

Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC) returns to the lightweight division for the first time since 2103, seeking to snap a disappointing four-fight losing streak. However, he insists some major life changes made in recent months have him more focused than ever.

Meanwhile, Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) hopes to rebound from a frustrating March 2020 loss to Beneil Dariush. Prior to the setback, Klose had enjoyed a three-fight winning streak.

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Drakkar Klose plans featherweight move if he can ‘starch’ Jeremy Stephens at UFC on ESPN 22

Drakkar Klose’s future will be at featherweight if he’s victorious against Jeremy Stephens.

[autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag]’s future will be at featherweight if he’s victorious against [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag].

Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) meets Stephens in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 22, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

It’ll be the first time Klose enters the octagon in over a year. Two of his fights, against Jai Herbert and Luis Pena, were canceled in February, and he is eager to return. But Klose says if he’s able to get a definitive win over Stephens, he’ll drop down to 145 pounds.

“I wanted to fight four times this year,” Klose told MMA Junkie Radio. “This will be my first fight, but second weight cut, just flow with it. After this, depending on how it goes, if I go in there and starch him, cut down to ’45 and give it a run for the title at that weight.”

Klose will be taking on the experienced Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC), a gritty veteran who’s battled the who’s who throughout his career. Both men like to throw down, which Klose thinks makes for an inevitably exciting scrap.

“He’s a big name, he’s a pioneer of this sport, and it’s just a big opportunity to get out there and put him on my resume,” Klose said.

He continued, “I’m excited because I think me and him are similar. We go out there and throw and someone’s gonna get knocked out. It’s gonna come down to who’s smarter. I think I might be. He has a lot more miles than me so I think I may be a little smarter, so it’s gonna be fireworks.”

In his past outing, Klose saw his three-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of Beneil Dariush at UFC 248. In one of the most entertaining fight-ending sequences, Klose rocked Dariush, but paid for it when he got overzealous and clipped himself, which cost him the fight.

But this time, Klose has learned from his mistakes and vows to show a more mature approach.

“I had a game plan when I was fighting Beneil and once I rocked him, it went out the window,” Klose said. “I got reckless, and I paid for it. This fight, I have a game plan, and I’m gonna stick to it because, at the end of the day, I just need to win. I want to entertain the fans, but I need to get that check.”

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Jeremy Stephens moves back to lightweight, fights Drakkar Klose at UFC event on April 17

Another lightweight fight has been added to the UFC’s April 17 lineup. Who wins?

[autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] is moving back to lightweight.

The longtime UFC fighter will make his divisional return April 17 against [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag]. The UFC Fight Night event does not have a publicly-known location or venue.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Thursday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC) will look to pick up his first victory in six outings. He’s gone 0-4 with one no contest, a skid dating back to July 2018. Stephens most recently competed at UFC 249 in May 2020, when he was finished via strikes by Calvin Kattar. He was booked to fight Arnold Allen this past November but withdrew due to injury.

Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has not competed since UFC 248 in March 2020, when his three-fight winning streak was snapped at the hands of Beneil Dariush. He was scheduled to fight Luis Pena on Feb. 20, but the fight was canceled hours before the event when Pena tested positive for COVID-19.

With the addition, the UFC’s April 17 lineup includes:

  • Paulo Costa vs. Robert Whittaker
  • Bartosz Fabinski vs. Gerald Meerschaert
  • Parker Porter vs. Chase Sherman
  • Tracy Cortez vs. Justine Kish
  • Tony Gravely vs. Nate Maness
  • Austin Hubbard vs. Natan Levy
  • Drakkar Klose vs. Jeremy Stephens

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Luis Pena announces bout with Drakkar Klose pulled from UFC Fight Night 185

The lightweight bout between Drakkar Klose and Luis Pena has been pulled from the UFC Fight Night 185 lineup.

Tonight’s UFC Fight Night 185 lineup is down to 13 fights.

The lightweight matchup between [autotag]Luis Pena[/autotag] and [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] has been scratched from the card.

Pena (8-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) revealed that he was informed one of Klose’s (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) cornermen tested positive for COVID-19, and out of precautions, UFC officials removed the bout from the card (via Twitter):

I hate this man but it’s with a heavy heart that must inform you guys that the fight has been called off one of Drakkar’s corner tested positive for covid and out of the health and safety for us both the @ufc decided to pull the fight praying that he and his team remain healthy

Klose has yet to issue any comments on the situation of his canceled fight.

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis
  • Yana Kunitskaya vs. Ketlen Vieira
  • Darrick Minner vs. Charles Rosa
  • Chris Daukaus vs. Aleksei Oleinik
  • Phil Hawes vs. Nassourdine Imavov
  • Andrei Arlovski vs. Tom Aspinall

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)

  • Danny Chavez vs. Jared Gordon
  • Drakkar Klose vs. Luis Pena
  • John Castaneda vs. Eddie Wineland
  • Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr
  • Shana Dobson vs. Casey O’Neill
  • Jamall Emmers vs. Chas Skelly
  • Drako Rodriguez vs. Aiemann Zahabi
  • Serghei Spivac vs. Jared Vanderaa

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With Jai Herbert out, Luis Pena steps in to face Drakkar Klose at UFC Fight Night 185

With Drakkar Klose needing a new opponent for UFC Fight Night 185, Luis Pena has stepped in on a week’s notice to take the challenge.

With [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] needing a new opponent, [autotag]Luis Pena[/autotag] has stepped in on a week’s notice to take the challenge.

[autotag]Jai Herbert[/autotag] has been forced out of UFC Fight Night 185 on Feb. 20 due to COVID-19 related health issues and Pena (8-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) will step in on short notice to face Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC).

A person with knowledge of the booking confirmed the news to MMA Junkie on Thursday. They asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Fighting was first to report the news.

Following the news, Herbert released a statement on Instagram explaining how a recent positive COVID-19 test forced him to withdraw.

“Unfortunately I’m out of my fight on Feb 20th…couple weeks ago I became ill…I then tested positive for COVID. Obviously this meant I had to isolate & was unable to get my medicals done, train or cut weight.
I was really looking forward to this fight, to show what improvements I’ve made since my last one.
It’s another set back…but there’s people being effected by this pandemic a lot worse then me so it is what it is.
Il be back soon, and cement myself in the @ufc lightweight division….what is life without a bit of adversity ….. 👊🏽 “

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLJaSSKhAJ0/

Klose will look to rebound from a second-round knockout loss to Beneil Dariush at UFC 248, where he was stopped in a thrilling back-and-forth contest. Prior to that, the Arizona native had scored three straight wins over Lando Vannata, Bobby Green and Christos Giagos.

Since moving back up to 155 pounds, Pena has split his past four appearances. After defeating Steve Garcia via unanimous decision in February, the Season 27 “Ultimate Fighter” alum suffered a third-round submission loss at the hands of Khama Worthy at UFC on ESPN 12 in June.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night 185 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis
  • Yana Kunitskaya vs. Ketlen Vieira
  • Darrick Minner vs. Charles Rosa
  • Chris Daukaus vs. Aleksei Oleinik
  • Rafael Alves vs. Patrick Sabatini
  • Andrei Arlovski vs. Tom Aspinall

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)

  • Nassourdine Imavov vs. Phil Hawes
  • Danny Chavez vs. Jared Gordon
  • Drakkar Klose vs. Luis Pena
  • John Castaneda vs. Eddie Wineland
  • Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr
  • Shana Dobson vs. Casey O’Neill
  • Drako Rodriguez vs. Aiemann Zahabi
  • Serghei Spivac vs. Jared Vanderaa
  • Jamall Emmers vs. Chas Skelly

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Jai Herbert vs. Drakkar Klose added to UFC Fight Night card for Feb. 20

Former Cage Warriors lightweight champion Jai Herbert is set to take on Drakkar Klose in a lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 20.

The UFC’s matchmakers are making strides as they start to fill out their fight cards for the early part of 2021, and they have booked a lightweight battle for the promotion’s Feb. 20 card.

The UFC Fight Night event, which currently does not have a confirmed venue or location, will feature a 155-pound clash between England’s [autotag]Jai Herbert[/autotag] and [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag]. Two people with knowledge of the booking confirmed the fight with MMA Junkie, but requested anonymity as the UFC has not officially confirmed the matchup.

Former Cage Warriors lightweight champion Herbert (10-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is looking to claim his first win inside the octagon after he suffered a dramatic knockout loss to Francisco Trinaldo at UFC on ESPN 14 in Abu Dhabi in July.

He’ll look to bounce back against Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who is also looking to rebound from a knockout loss after his defeat to Beneil Dariush at UFC 248 back in March.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night card for Feb. 20 includes:

  • Chris Daukaus vs. Aleksei Oleinik
  • Jai Herbert vs. Drakkar Klose
  • Danny Chavez vs. Jared Gordon
  • Shana Dobson vs. Casey O’Neill

Callout Collection: Who UFC on ESPN 11 winners want next – and how likely they’ll get them

Belal Muhammad and Justin Jaynes were among those who name-dropped their preferred next opponents at UFC on ESPN 11 in Las Vegas.

Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.

So after Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 event in Las Vegas, who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.

* * * * *

First up, let’s take a look at the preliminary card …

Justin Jaynes

Wants to fight: [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag] or [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]

The callout: “I’ve got a couple of guys on my hit list right now, and I wanna talk to my manager and see what we can line up down the road, and take it day-by-day for that. … Drakkar Klose. Beat me 2007, high school wrestling state championship. Got a little salty about that, still. He ruined my dreams. And (Austin) Hubbard. He just beat a friend of mine, Max (Rohskopf). I’d like to redeem his loss.”

The reality: After a performance like the one he delivered on his debut at UFC on ESPN 11, it seems like a no-brainer to get [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag], fitness permitting, straight back into the cage at the earliest opportunity. Austin Hubbard earned a stoppage win on the same card and is therefore on the same timeline, so that could be a simple one for the matchmakers to book.

But I think the high school wrestling angle makes the fight with Klose much more intriguing. Fights always seem to capture the imagination more when there’s a real backstory to them, and Jaynes losing out to Klose back in their high school wrestling days offers a nice opportunity for the UFC to build interest in a possible matchup. Klose will be keen to bounce back after his recent loss to Beneil Dariush, and may see Jaynes as a familiar face who he’s bested once before on the wrestling mats. On paper, it looks like a nice matchup to test Jaynes, while giving Klose the opportunity to bounce back from his recent setback.

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Next up: The “King” fires back at the “Texecutioner”

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