LAS VEGAS – The grudge match will have to wait.
Just minutes before the start of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 22 event, Jeremy Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose was pulled from the lineup because of an undisclosed injury to Klose. The announcement was made as UFC on ESPN 22 went to air from the UFC Apex.
Official update to our #UFCVegas24 fight card. pic.twitter.com/ryv5kkUpvJ
— UFC (@ufc) April 17, 2021
While the matchup already looked enticing on paper, interest grew greater at Friday’s ceremonial faceoffs where they came nose to nose before “Lil’ Heathen” decided that was just a touch too close for his liking. Stephens then put two hands on Klose’s chest and shoved him across the stage.
Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC) was looking to return to the lightweight division for the first time since 2103, seeking to snap a disappointing four-fight losing streak. He insisted during fight week that some major life changes in recent months have him more focused than ever.
Meanwhile, Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) was hoping to rebound from a frustrating March 2020 loss to Beneil Dariush. Prior to the setback, Klose had enjoyed a three-fight winning streak.
With the change, the complete UFC on ESPN 22 lineup:
MAIN CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)
- Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum
- Andrei Arlovski vs. Chase Sherman
- Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Jacob Malkoun
- Tracy Cortez vs. Justine Kish
- Alexander Munoz vs. Luis Pena
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET)
- Juan Espino vs. Alexandr Romanov
- Loopy Godinez vs. Jessica Penne
- Bartosz Fabinski vs. Gerald Meerschaert
- Dakota Bush vs. Austin Hubbard
- Anthony Birchak vs. Tony Gravely
