Drakkar Klose
Drakkar Don Klose (born March 9, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background. Born and raised alongside six other siblings in South Haven, Michigan, Klose had a standout wrestling career at South Haven High School, winning a state championship in 2005. He continued his career at North Idaho College before transferring to Lindenwood University for his junior year. After being kicked out of college, he relocated to Arizona in hopes of enhancing his mixed martial arts career. Mixed martial arts career. Early career. Klose begun his  career as an amateur racking a 7–0 record. Prior to joining the UFC, Klose amassed a record of 7–0–1 in organizations such as Resurrection Fighting Alliance and World Fighting Federation. Klose signed with the UFC in late 2016. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Klose made his promotional debut on January 15, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 103 against fellow newcomer Devin Powell. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Klose faced Marc Diakiese on July 7, 2017 at . He won the fight by split decision, after dropping his opponent with leg kicks in both the first and second round. Klose faced David  Teymur on December 2, 2017 at UFC 218. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. Klose faced Lando Vannata on July 7, 2018 at UFC 226. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Klose faced Bobby Green on December 15, 2018 at UFC on Fox 31 He won the fight by unanimous decision. Klose was expected to face Beneil Dariush on July 13, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 155. However, on July 7, Dariush pulled out of the fight with an injury. As a result, UFC officials opted to remove Klose from the card and he is expected to be  scheduled for a future event instead. Klose faced Christos Giagos on August 17, 2019 at UFC 241. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision. Klose next faced Beneil Dariush on March 7, 2020 at UFC 248, a rescheduling of the bout that was canceled in July 2019. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. Klose was scheduled to face Jai Herbert on February 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 185. However, Herbert pulled out in the weeks leading up to the event and was replaced by Luis Peña. However, the bout was cancelled after  Klose's corner tested positive for COVID-19. Klose was expected to face Jeremy Stephens at UFC on ESPN 22 on April 17, 2021. However, day of the event, it was announced that the bout was scrapped due to Klose sustaining a spinal injury as a result of being shoved by Stephens at the weigh-ins. Despite the fight not happening, it was reported that Klose would receive his show money and compliance pay. After two-year absence from the octagon, Klose was scheduled to face Nikolas Motta on April 16, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 34. However, Motta was removed  from the event for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Brandon Jenkins. Klose won the fight via technical knockout in round two. This win earned him the "Performance of the Night" award. Personal life. Klose has a son, Kingston (born 2018). He is married to fellow UFC athlete Cortney Casey.