In the co-main event of tonight’s UFC Vegas 24 event, we are going to see an absolute banger in the lightweight division. Top contenders square off as Jeremy Stephens (28-18, 1 NC) takes on Drakkar Klose (11-2-1).
For Klose, this is the first time we are seeing him since UFC 248. That night, he took on Beneil Dariush. After a back and forth first, Klose hurt Dariush bad in the second round. However, he overextended himself trying to finish and Dariush hurt him bad.
Dariush ended up pushing forward and getting the knockout. Had Klose won that fight, he might’ve been looking at a top ten opponent in the lightweight division next. That loss snapped a three-fight win streak in the UFC.
Standing across from Klose tonight is Lil Heathen, Jeremy Stephens. Jeremy Stephens has been known as one of the more powerful strikers in the lighter divisions of the UFC for a very long time. He’s always been a fringe top contender, but he never got to a title shot.
Right now, he’s in arguably the worst stretch of his career. In 2018, Stephens had a shot with Jose Aldo. Had he won that fight, he could have had a title shot coming. However, Stephens was stopped by Aldo in the first round.
Starting with that fight, Stephens is 0-4, 1 NC in his last five UFC appearances. He’s moving back to lightweight after years at featherweight and if he loses tonight, his job could be at risk.
UFC Vegas 24 Preview
I think this is a fantastic matchup and I’m looking forward to these two striking. When it comes to UFC Vegas 24, I’m really going to be watching the range and how well Stephens is able to close the distance.
We know that Jeremy Stephens can fight with a lot of forward pressure, but sometimes, he can get picked apart from the outside. I believe that Klose has a big advantage if this fight stays at distance.
Stephens has the power to put Klose out with one shot. However, I’m not sure he’s going to land that shot at UFC Vegas 24. At the end of the day, I think this fight is going to be very close, but I see Drakkar Klose landing more from the outside and edging a decision tonight.
Prediction: Drakkar Klose by Split Decision