Paris – UFC lightweights were on deck at UFC Paris on Saturday as Ludovit Klein and Roosevelt Roberts battled it out in France.
Klein (22-4-1) came in with a 6-2-1 UFC record. The lightweight has been in the UFC for about four years but already has 6 victories over names like Ignacio Bahamondes and Thiago Moises to name a couple. He looked to extend his win streak to four against Roberts.
Roberts (12-4) rode into UFC Paris needing a victory over Klein. He came into the fight on a two-fight losing streak with a loss at TUF 31 against Austin Hubbard and Mateusz Rebecki at UFC 295 respectively.
Round 1 Klein came out firing leg kicks immediately to make up for the height disadvantage he has against Roberts. Roberts tried to smother the kicks with forward pressure, but Klein was ok with it and fired off hands up top.
Roberts clearly wanted the clinch but he kept on eating elbows up top for his troubles. Klein meanwhile was happy to let his opponent eat leg kicks repeatedly and then elbows in close. Roberts tried a takedown as time ran out, but was unsuccessful.
Round 2 Klein took Roberts down rather quickly here, Roberts tried to grab an arm, but Klein stayed on him with pressure and strikes.
Roberts fired hammers back at Klein, but his opponent refused to back up. Roberts finally got his guard back. Roberts looked like he was trying to get his hips higher to go for a submission, or sweep, but he ate a healthy helping of hands and elbows up top at the same time.
Klein got to his feet, dropped back down into side control, but Roberts was able to get his guard back. Klein’s pressure on top, and stacking Roberts at the same time, made it very hard to create distance.
Round 3 Roberts came out with some urgency taking it to Klein, but it was much more patient. Klein with a quick takedown and it wasn’t looking good for Roberts who was unable to push Klein off him in the second round.
Klein with elbows up top and all the pressure you could want up top. Roberts got to his knees and feet however and back on the fence. Roberts pushed Klein off him and shot in for his own takedown but couldn’t land it. Instead getting taken down again and Klein landing up top. Roberts firing off elbows just doing anything he can to try and finish.
Time ran out on both men and the fight went to the judges.
Official Result: Ludovit Klein def. Roosevelt Roberts via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
