A year after Drakkar Klose’s canceled Jeremy Stephens bout, he’s still feeling the effects of the weigh-in shove that called things off in the first place.
Klose, 34, has had three fight cancelations since his Mar. 2020 epic with Beneil Dariush. Looking to rebound off the second-round knockout loss, the South Haven, Michigan native will return against Brandon Jenkins at UFC Vegas 51 this Saturday night. Unfortunately for Klose, he admits to not being fully fit to compete.
Stephens’ shove at UFC Vegas 24’s official weigh-ins left Klose unable to make the walk the night after as he suffered a cervical sprain of the neck and a concussion. Klose revealed to reporters that he worried about his future and was afraid he might never be able to fight again.
“The damage was done, I’m still not 100 percent from that. It’s something I will probably need surgery on eventually,” Klose told BJPenn.com. “I told myself if I have to get surgery, I’m just going to call it quits. I’m just trying to control it, do therapy, and everything else. I did think that was going to be the end of me. It was a serious problem. I had terrible headaches and neck issues. My doctor suggested that I fuse my neck. I was not interested in hearing this. I want to go out on my terms, I don’t want to go out with the doctor telling me I can’t do this. It was a herniated disc, C6, C7, as soon as it happened my whole arm went numb, and later that night, things weren’t right and I woke up couldn’t open my eyes, a real bad headache.”
Klose’s loss to Dariush was only the second in his 14-fight career. Klose is showing real promise in the Octagon with wins over Lando Vannata and Bobby Green.
When it comes to sympathy received from the promotion, Klose didn’t feel much was received. It was actually the exact opposite.
“There’s a lot more stuff I might say after I quit fighting, but they pay me so that my mouth will stay shut,” Klose stated. They gave me their show money, but never spoke to me. To me, it’s kind of ridiculous, he really f***** me up. I can remember crying on the way home from that fight. I don’t even know why, but it was so overwhelming. They don’t even care that it’s their business, so they will take over my place .”
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TOP STORIES
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VIDEO STEW
UFC Vegas 51 and Bellator 277 Preview.
Top Finishes: Vicent Luque.
RIZIN Rewind with Johnny Case.
Meet the Fighter: Spike Carlyle.
Don’t mess with Pitbull.
UFC 273 Fight Motion.
Jake Paul speaks with Teddy Atlas.
Bobby Green on JRE.
LISTEN UP
Between the Links. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew discuss the UFC 273 fallout, Bellator 277 vs. UFC Vegas 51, and Henry Cejudo’s comeback.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Sincere apologies.
Well isn’t there egg on my face…congrats mate, I have recently had a perspective change.
— Robert Whittaker (@robwhittakermma) April 14, 2022
Fresh ink.
Just signed my new contract with the @ufc. Iron Lady is here to stay pic.twitter.com/pmDGewHMBy
— Maryna Moroz (@MarynaMoroz1) April 14, 2022
It continues.
You think I give a shit about someone not agreeing with me? We fighters are constantly disrespected by you and josh. That’s where you both annoy me. Especially Josh, as a former high level athlete
You wanna try to take the high road now? Please look in the mirror Mr Perfect https://t.co/whnwmIgkTz
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 14, 2022
Good news for Kevin.
No surgery on my knee. [****************************************************************************************************************************************************** **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************][************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************…*************************************************************************************************************************************************
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) April 15, 2022
Careful, Davion. Davion has been through so much!
So I stopped by the @JacksonWinkMMA gym and @BellatorMMA heavyweight @DavionGoAllDay picked me up like I was a child! @drbeauhightower pic.twitter.com/WtF1D1wJgp
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) April 15, 2022
Luke.
Teamwork.
Final refinements.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jordan Wright (12-2) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (13-5), UFC Vegas 52, Apr. 23
Damir Ismagulov (23-1) vs. Guram Kuteteladze (12-2), UFC Fight Night, June 18
Neil Magny (26-8) vs. Shavkat Rokhmonov (15-0); UFC Fight Night, June 25
Tagir Ulanbekov (13-2) vs. Tyson Nam (20-12-1); UFC Fight Night, June 25
Antonina Shevchenko (9-4) vs. Cortney Casey (10-9); UFC Fight Night, July 9
Cynthia Calvillo (9-4-1) vs. Nina Nunes (10-7); UFC Fight Night, July 9
FINAL THOUGHTS
RIZIN 35 is the best event this weekend and it’s not even close. Have a great Friday Thank you for reading! Enjoy the weekend full of fun and excitement.
EXIT POLL
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