Jeremy Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose off UFC on ESPN 22; Klose says shove caused withdrawal
Klose #Klose
By John Morgan | April 17, 2021 8:20 pm
LAS VEGAS – The grudge match will have to wait.
Just minutes before the start of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 22 event, Jeremy Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose was pulled from the lineup because of an injury to Klose. The announcement was made as UFC on ESPN 22 went to air.
While the matchup already looked enticing on paper, interest grew greater at Friday’s ceremonial faceoffs where they came nose to nose before “Lil’ Heathen” decided that was just a touch too close for his liking. Stephens then put two hands on Klose’s chest and shoved him across the stage.
According to Klose, the shove triggered a string of injuries, including a migraine headache, that forced him to visit the hospital and withdraw from the fight.
pic.twitter.com/QoI9TOTe3f
— Drakkar Klose (@drakkarklose) April 17, 2021
After I was pushed by Jeremy at UFC faceoffs, I immediately felt my hand go numb and neck tighten up. Sean Shelby and the UFC officials sent me to the PI to get worked on by the UFC PT staff for 2 hours. I spent the night eating, rehydrating, stretching, and even saw the PT staff later that night. I (woke) up early this morning with a migraine/headache, nausea and the only thing that made me feel better was laying in the dark. UFC got me medicine and I rested for a couple hours before getting up and vomiting. It was at that point we called the UFC doctor and he made the decision to send me to the hospital. I’m sorry to everyone who was excited for this fight. I tried to do everything I could to stay in this fight, but these issues are out of my control.
Klose’s team later shared that doctors diagnosed him with a “brain concussion” and “sprain of cervical neck.”
Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC) was looking to return to the lightweight division for the first time since 2103, seeking to snap a disappointing four-fight losing streak. He insisted during fight week that some major life changes in recent months have him more focused than ever.
Meanwhile, Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) was hoping to rebound from a frustrating March 2020 loss to Beneil Dariush. Prior to the setback, Klose had enjoyed a three-fight winning streak.
With the change, the complete UFC on ESPN 22 lineup:
MAIN CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Gallery Photos: UFC on ESPN 22 weigh-ins and faceoffs