Excluding having missed weight for the fight, Ludovit Klein’s UFC debut was everything the fighter could have wanted.
Coming in on short notice at UFC 253 against Shane Young, Klein (17-2), a promising featherweight prospect from Slovakia, finished the fight in the opening round. With a head kick that likely would have ensured a Performance of the Night bonus had the weight miss not disqualified him from consideration.
“That was the biggest dream in my life. I’m very happy,” Klein said in a virtual media scrum following the fight. “I have only good vibes.”
Klein also revealed that timing was probably the biggest factor in the fight, and weight cut. “I get this message from the UFC for my debut a week ago, and I’m very happy,” he said. “I’m here, and I show my best.”
At the same time, he noted that “I don’t have many days for cutting weight. I cut certain kilo before the six days. In the future, my cutting weight will be 100% okay. Don’t worry.”
Thanking his native Slovakia for their support, with social media blowing up after the win, Klein was clearly excited to be the first Slovakian fighter in the UFC. “For me it’s a very big thing,” he stated. “I’m very proud to represent my country.”
Watch the full UFC 253 virtual post-fight press scrum with Ludovit Klein above.
