The UFC’s big July card continues to fill out, with the latest addition being ‘Groovy’ Lando Vannata taking on Drakkar Klose.
UFC 226 is about to get a little groovier. That’s thanks to the addition of ‘Groovy’ Lando Vannata to the Las Vegas event. The Jackson-Wink fighter, originally from New Jersey, will face Michigan’s Drakkar Klose on the card, which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena on July 7. The Las Vegas Review-Journal was first to report the booking.
Vannata (9–2–1) broke into the UFC two years ago and instantly shot to stardom thanks to a ferocious effort against Tony Ferguson. Vannata made his UFC debut against the future UFC interim lightweight champ, and while he was eventually submitted, his efforts helped earn Fight of the Night honors at UFC Fight Night 91. From there, Vannata scored a stunning head kick KO of John Makdessi at UFC 206. Subsequent to that, he suffered a loss to David Teymur, and a draw opposite Bobby Green in a fight that saw Vannata lose a point due to an illegal knee.
All four of Vannata’s fights have picked up Performance of the Night or Fight of the Night honors. Prior to joining the UFC, he was undefeated as a professional.
Drakkar Klose (8–1–1), meanwhile, will enter UFC 226 off a loss to Teymur at UFC 218 in December. That marked his first loss as a professional.
UFC 226 is headlined by a champ vs. champ super-fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier.
