UFC Vegas 19 Down Another Fight, Drakkar Klose vs. Luis Pena Off

Drakkar Klose and Luis Pena, UFC Vegas 19
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 19: (L-R) Opponents Drakkar Klose and Luis Pena face off during the UFC weigh-in at UFC APEX on February 19, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Luis Pena, better known perhaps to fight fans as “Violent Bob Ross,” and Michigan native Drakkar Klose were both looking to get back into the win column at UFC Vegas 19. Unfortunately, they will not be fighting on Saturday after all.

Just hours out from go time, Pena announced via social media that the fight was off. The culprit, once again, COVID-19. In an all-too familiar scenario, it appears one of Klose’s cornermen has tested positive for the virus.

“I hate this man but it’s with a heavy heart that [I] must inform you guys that the fight has been called off,” Pena wrote. “One of Drakkar’s corners tested positive for COVID and out of the health and safety for us both the UFC decided to pull the fight.”

Always a class act, Pena added that he was “praying that he and his team remain healthy.”

The UFC has yet to officially announce the bout’s cancellation.

Pena (8-3) and Klose (11-2-1) were both looking to return to the win column at UFC Vegas 19. While not a do-or-die situation for either fighter, a win would start 2021 off right for whoever came out on top. Both men were coming off single losses.

Prior to the loss of Luis Pena vs. Drakkar Klose, Saturday’s Fight Night card also saw Rafael Alves vs. Pat Sabatini fall through, after Alves missed weight by 11.5lbs.