The second straight lightweight scrap to kick off UFC Vegas 87 on Saturday saw AJ Cunningham stepping in to face L’udovit Klein on short notice.
Cunningham, an LFA vet, had come up short on the Contender Series against Steven Nguyen, but had since returned to the win column with a first-round TKO on the regional circuit in December.
Klein got it started with a head kick that did land. Cunningham returned with a kick that Klein caught and got the takedown. Cunningham got back up but took a body shot in return. Those body shots would be key. They clashed again and Klein got Cunningham against the cage and landed a knee up top. Cunningham did get some respect with a body kick but Klein was composed. Klein was fast with his punches landing combinations.
AJ Cunningham was showing toughness and was throwing back. The hand speed of Klein was evident and was landing about everything he was throwing. The shot selection of Klein was on point mixing up his striking patterns. He was paying attention to the body and it was taking a toll on Cunningham. Klein saw him breaking so he picked it up throwing punches to the body, to the head, a head kick, and then a teep to the body putting Cunningham away.
Official Result: Ľudovít Klein def. AJ Cunningham by TKO (punches and body kick), Round 1, 4:36
