UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Gastelum- Jeremy Stephens vs Drakkar Klose: UFC Vegas 24 Prediction and Analysis

UFC lightweights Jeremy Stephens and Drakkar Klose have been tasked with a co-main event assignment for UFC Vegas 24. Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum will headline the card, which has been circled by fight fans for a while now. Chiefly, both Stephens and Klose are at different junctions in their career and need a win for different reasons.

The lightweight division has had a massive spotlight on it as of late with several marquee match-ups in the pipeline. It is notoriously difficult to break into the top ranks at 155-pounds and every step in the right direction counts. With Khabib Nurmagomedov out of the title picture, a soon-to-be-crowned champion always spurs on new contenders.

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UFC Fight Night Vegas 24: Jeremy Stephens vs Drakkar Klose

Jeremy Stephens could potentially be fighting for his spot in the UFC as he’s 0-4-1 in his last five fights. He last fought back at UFC 249 and was violently finished by Calvin Kattar by elbows mid-way through the second round. Chiefly, it’s his exciting guts and glory fighting style that has afforded him a co-main event slot after a skid.

The biggest question surrounding ‘Lil Heathen’ going into this fight is regarding his power translating to a bigger weight class (155). He’s faced some heavy hitters at 145-pounds and more likely than not, he will be able to hang through adversity. Stephens should prioritize getting into close range and ensuring Klose doesn’t cut him off from the outside.

Drakkar Klose is coming off a loss in his last fight to Beneil Dariush at UFC 248, and he hasn’t been active since. Prior to the KO defeat, Klose was on a three-fight winning streak and was inching his way closer to contention. Should he scalp an impressive win over the former featherweight fighter in Stephens, he’ll be right back in the conversation.

Drakkar Klose is adept at moving in and out of range and dishing consistent punishment while doing so. He can certainly take a punch, however, it would be ill-advised to stay in the pocket with Stephens for too long. Not to mention, he’s got the reach advantage and will use the threat of his jab to keep the fight at bay.

Prediction: Drakkar Klose to claim a unanimous decision victory