After three fight cancelations in 2021, Nikolas Motta will finally make his UFC debut in 2022.
MMA Fighting was the first to report the news that Motta will fight Drakkar Klose on April 16 at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event. Both fighters would confirm the booking on social media. The bout is expected to take place at lightweight.
Klose (11-2-1) will return to action a year to the day he was pushed by Jeremy Stephens at weigh-ins and suffered a cervical sprain to his neck. Before being sidelined with an injury, Klose was scheduled to fight at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis against Jai Herbert and then against Luis Pena. But just a few hours before the event, he tested positive for COVID-19. Klose had a three-fight win streak snapped by Beneil Dariush at UFC 248 in one of the most memorable knockouts of 2020.
Like his opponent, Motta (12-3) had three fights fall through in 2021. First, he was supposed to make his UFC debut in May against Damir Hadzovic, but an injury forced him to withdraw. Next, he was scheduled to face UFC legend Jim Miller, but COVID halted that. The UFC quickly replaced Miller with Cameron VanCamp however the fight was scratched.
The UFC’s April 16, 2022 event does not have an official location, venue, or broadcast plan announced. Additionally, no other fights have been reported.
