Ľudovít Klein

Slovakian mixed martial arts fighter
Ľudovít Klein
Klein in 2022
Born (1995-02-22) February 22, 1995 (age 29)
Nové Zámky, Slovakia
Other namesMr. Highlight
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Featherweight
Reach72.0 in (183 cm)[1]
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofTrnava, Slovakia
TeamSpartakus Fight Gym
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins21
By knockout9
By submission8
By decision4
Losses4
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision1
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Ľudovít Klein (born February 22, 1995) is a Slovak mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Ľudovít Klein was born in Nové Zámky, where he also started his sports career. When he was about 12 years old, Klein secretly signed up for boxing training as he feared his parents' reaction. After the first training sessions he was already aware that martial arts would accompany him throughout his life. Later, the boxing club he was involved in broke up and for some time he did not know which direction to take. As he wanted to continue his hobby, he signed up for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. He trained for a long time in the Thomas Bilishich Martial Arts Academy. He later added Thai boxing to his martial arts training, which is how he first heard about the amateur MMA league. Subsequently, he started to devote himself to it.[2][3]

In the beginning he earned his living as a bouncer at discos, where he was often picked on because of his shorter stature.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Klein joined the professional MMA as a relatively experienced amateur. After a couple of performances on smaller Slovak shows, his potential was noticed by the Slovak MMA legend Attila Végh, who brought him to his gym based on his great performances. On the domestic scene, Lajoš went undefeated in his first six fights in smaller Slovak organizations, after which he decided to go abroad.[4]

The first match outside Slovakia did not turn out as expected. Klein lost to Igor Tarytsa at A-Fight 5 via KO. He won 2 matches in the ACB, and managed to finish both in the second round. He returned to Slovakia for one match against Moric Besztercei, which he left as the winner.[4]

He came to the British Cage Warriors as a favorite, but he fell short, losing to Aiden Lee . He finished Lajoš in the first round via submission and Klein decided to return home to Slovakia.[4]

With a record of 9-2, Klein transferred to Oktagon MMA. In it he fought two times, giving dominant performances and winning both fights before the limit. In the second match against Matěj Kuzník, he headlined Oktagon 5.[4]

Subsequently, he bounced for 2 matches in the competing XFN. In both, he won the bouts comfortably, but decided to return to the Oktagon due to problems in the organization.[4]

In the Oktagon 12 tournament, he defeated the Brazilian William Lima in the first round, followed by wins against João Paulo Rodrigues at Oktagon 14 and Łukasz Sajewski at Oktagon Prime 3, ending both subsequent matches with his signature head kick.[4]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Klein, as a replacement for Nate Landwehr, faced Shane Young on 27 September 2020 at UFC 253.[5] At the weigh-ins, Klein weighed in at 150 pounds, four pounds over the non-title featherweight fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Klein was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Young.[6] Klein won the fight via knockout in round one.[7]

Klein faced Michael Trizano on May 8, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9] 11 out of 14 media scores gave the fight to Klein.[10]

Klein faced Nate Landwehr on October 16, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont.[11] He lost the fight in the third round via a submission due to an anaconda choke.[12]

Klein faced Devonte Smith, replacing injured Erick Gonzalez, on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272.[13] He won the fight via split decision.[14]

Klein was scheduled to face Ignacio Bahamondes on August 30, 2022 at UFC 277.[15] However, Bahamondes pulled out on July 15, 2022 and Klein was rebooked against Mason Jones a week earlier at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall.[16] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[17]

Klein faced Jai Herbert on March 18, 2023 at UFC 286.[18] The fight ended in a majority draw.[19]

Klein was scheduled to face Jim Miller on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46.[20] However, Klein pulled out on May 19 due to illness and was replaced by Jared Gordon.[21]

Klein was re-scheduled to face Ignacio Bahamondes on August 5, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 226.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]

Klein was scheduled to face Joel Álvarez on March 2, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 238.[24] However, Álvarez was replaced by AJ Cunningham for unknown reasons.[25] Klein won by technical knockout as a result of a body kick and follow-up punches at the end of the first round.[26]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
26 matches 21 wins 4 losses
By knockout 9 1
By submission 8 2
By decision 4 1
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 21–4–1 AJ Cunningham TKO (front kick to the body and punches) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev March 2, 2024 1 4:36 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 20–4–1 Ignacio Bahamondes Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font August 5, 2023 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Draw 19–4–1 Jai Herbert Draw (majority) UFC 286 March 18, 2023 3 5:00 London, England Herbert was deducted 1 point in round 3 due to multiple groin strikes.
Win 19–4 Mason Jones Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall July 23, 2022 3 5:00 London, England
Win 18–4 Devonte Smith Decision (split) UFC 272 March 5, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Lightweight.
Loss 17–4 Nate Landwehr Submission (anaconda choke) UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont October 16, 2021 3 2:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 17–3 Michael Trizano Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson May 8, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–2 Shane Young KO (head kick and punches) UFC 253 September 27, 2020 1 1:16 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Catchweight (150 lb) bout; Klein missed weight.
Win 16–2 Łukasz Sajewski TKO (punches) Oktagon Prime 3 February 15, 2020 1 3:49 Šamorín, Slovakia
Win 15–2 João Paulo Rodrigues KO (head kick) Oktagon 14 September 14, 2019 3 0:46 Bratislava, Slovakia
Win 14–2 Willian Lima TKO (punches) Oktagon 12 June 8, 2019 1 2:27 Bratislava, Slovakia Lightweight bout.
Win 13–2 Arbi Mezhidov Decision (unanimous) XFN 14 November 18, 2018 3 5:00 Bratislava, Slovakia
Win 12–2 Kamil Selwa TKO (punches) XFN 11 June 28, 2018 2 N/A Prague, Czech Republic Return to Featherweight.
Win 11–2 Matěj Kuzník TKO (doctor stoppage) Oktagon 5 March 17, 2018 4 5:00 Ostrava, Czech Republic Lightweight debut.
Win 10–2 Krzysztof Klaczek KO (head kick) Oktagon 4 November 12, 2017 1 2:00 Bratislava, Slovakia
Loss 9–2 Aiden Lee Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Warriors 87 October 14, 2017 1 2:34 Newport, Wales
Win 9–1 Moric Besztercei Submission (rear-naked choke) Dark Night Volume 2 June 24, 2017 1 4:56 Nové Zámky, Slovakia
Win 8–1 Ahmed Abdulkadirov Submission (guillotine choke) ACB 60 May 13, 2017 2 0:44 Vienna, Austria
Win 7–1 Khusein Maltsagov KO (knee) ACB 56 April 1, 2017 2 3:29 Minsk, Belarus
Loss 6–1 Igor Tarytsa KO (punch) A-Fight 5 February 24, 2017 1 4:58 Nevinnomyssk, Russia
Win 6–0 Aleksandar Janković Submission (armbar) Fight of Gladiators 5 April 9, 2016 1 N/A Nitra, Slovakia
Win 5–0 Michal Stefek Submission (guillotine choke) Hanuman Cup 30 March 5, 2016 1 0:40 Bratislava, Slovakia
Win 4–0 Samuel Ribansky Submission (armbar) Hanuman Cup 28 September 26, 2015 2 0:00 Bratislava, Slovakia
Win 3–0 Adam Németh Submission (guillotine choke) Hanuman Cup 27 July 4, 2015 1 1:00 Senec, Slovakia
Win 2–0 Kamil Tarnawski Submission (triangle choke) PCF 12 May 16, 2015 2 1:35 Poprad, Slovakia
Win 1–0 Martin Mihálik Submission (rear-naked choke) PCF 11 December 20, 2014 1 0:27 Levoča, Slovakia

[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com.
  2. ^ a b REFRESHER. "Od vyhadzovača až po svetového bojovníka. Prvý Slovák v UFC Ľudovít Klein sa zapísal do histórie domáceho MMA". refresher.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  3. ^ "Cesta bojovníka Kleina: Ambíciu dostať sa medzi najlepších mal už časoch, keď robil vyhadzovača". tvnoviny.sk (in Slovak). 2021-10-14. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Webikon.sk (2020-11-08). "Kto je Ľudovít Klein? Prvý Slovák v UFC má veľké ambície". Hashtag.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  5. ^ "Ludovit Klein steps in for Nate Landwehr at UFC 253 after positive COVID-19 test". MMA Junkie. 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  6. ^ Staff (2020-09-25). "UFC 253 weigh-in results: All title fighters hit marks, but two come in heavy on 'Fight Island'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  7. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-09-26). "UFC 253 Results: Ludovit Klein Knocks Out Shane Young". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  8. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-04-08). "BREAKING: Mike Trizano vs. Ľudovít Klein ingepland voor UFC evenement op 8 mei". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  9. ^ Behunin, Alex (2021-05-08). "UFC Vegas 26 Results: Michael Trizano Takes Questionable Decision Over Ľudovít Klein". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  10. ^ "Michael Trizano def. Ludovit Klein :: UFC on ESPN 24 :: MMA Decisions". www.mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  11. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-07-03). "BREAKING: Ľudovít Klein vs. Nate Landwehr toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 16 oktober". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  12. ^ "UFC Vegas 40 video: Nate Landwehr taps out Ludovit Klein with nasty third-round anaconda choke".
  13. ^ Marcel Dorff (2022-02-25). "Klein replaces Gonzalez for Smith in 8 days". eurosport.nl. Retrieved 2022-02-25. (in Dutch)
  14. ^ Behunin, Alex (2022-03-05). "UFC 272: L'udovit Klein Earns Second UFC Win With Split Decision Over Devonte Smith". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  15. ^ "Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Ludovit Klein added to UFC 277 in Dallas". MMA Junkie. 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  16. ^ Farah Hannoun (2022-07-15). "With Ignacio Bahamondes out of UFC 277, Ludovit Klein now faces Mason Jones at UFC London". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  17. ^ Sherdog.com. "UFC Fight Night 208 Prelim Results: Ludovit Klein Shuts Down Mason Jones". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  18. ^ ATSteveDuncan (2023-01-06). "Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein agregado a UFC 286". MMA.uno , #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  19. ^ Val Dewar (2023-03-18). "UFC 286: Late, controversial point deduction sees Jai Herbert draw with Ľudovit Klein". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  20. ^ "Jim Miller set for 42nd UFC fight, meets Ludovit Klein in Las Vegas". MMA Junkie. 2023-04-22. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  21. ^ Matthew Wells and Farah Hannoun (2023-05-19). "Jim Miller gets new opponent, now set to face Jared Gordon at June UFC Fight Night event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  22. ^ "UFC finalizing Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Ludovit Klein for August event". MMA Junkie. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  23. ^ Theodosi, Jamie (2023-08-05). "UFC Nashville: L'udovit Klein Dominates Bahamondes, Picks Up Decision Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  24. ^ "Joel Álvarez peleará contra Ludovit Klein en el UFC de Arabia Saudí del 2 de Marzo". Eurosport (in Spanish). 2023-12-17. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  25. ^ "Two UFC Fight Night 238 replacements step in on less than one week's notice". MMA Junkie. 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  26. ^ Shawn Bitter (2024-03-02). "UFC Vegas 87: Bodywork Key to Ľudovít Klein Stopping AJ Cunningham". casesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  27. ^ Sherdog.com. "Ľudovít Klein". Sherdog.

External links

  • Professional MMA record for Ludovit Klein from Sherdog
  • Ludovit Klein at UFC