Ludovit Klein: ‘I Know That I’m A Better Fighter’

While Klein still fought hard until the final horn, Herbert won the round on all three scorecards. With the point deduction, the bout was declared a majority draw.

“I think my last fight was not a good performance by me because the decision was a draw,” Klein said. “I know that I’m a better fighter and I believe I can show more in my next fight.”

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There’s plenty of outcomes worse than a draw, but since Klein returned to the lightweight division in March of last year, his performances continued looking better and better, so a draw won’t cut it while Klein continues to showcase his evolution as a mixed martial artist.

At featherweight, Klein felt restricted. Having to diet and deplete his body throughout fight week was physically draining. One aspect of training Klein can’t go without is his strength and conditioning. While he does enjoy the aesthetics of weight training, Klein says he feels so much stronger when it’s in his weekly routine. At 155 pounds, Klein can really put an emphasis on his strength training throughout camp to ensure he feels his best mentally and physically on fight night.

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“[I feel] much better because at featherweight it was hard weight cutting,” Klein said. “In lightweight, I feel strong, I feel better, the weight cut is not bad, and I know I can show better performances in my fights.

“I feel good when I strength train. I have a good [strength and conditioning] coach, I like it and I feel good when I’m in good shape.”

This Saturday at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Font, Klein faces Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus Ignacio Bahamondes. The Chilean impressed in the world’s most intense job interview by finishing Contender Series opponent Edson Gomez by front kick in the second round.

After dropping a split decision in his debut, Bahamondes earned a Performance of the Night bonus with another head kick knockout, this time against The Ultimate Fighter Season 31 contestant Roosevelt Roberts. Two more wins later, Bahamondes has proven he’s a dangerous proposition for any lightweight contender.

The first thing you’ll notice when looking at Saturday’s tale of the tape is the height discrepancy. Klein stands at 5-foot-7 and his opponent Bahamondes is listed at 6-foot-1. While being the shorter athlete does not mean Klein is at an immediate disadvantage, he spent the majority of his training sparring taller athletes and working on footwork to help deal with the size difference.

“I think my movement is better; I did a lot of work on this,” Klein said. “It’s going to be a very important [aspect] of this next fight. My opponent is a good striker. I think I’m a very good striker, too, so it will be a good fight for the fans.”

“I must show what I know, and I know I’m a better fighter than Ignacio Bahamondes. He’s very good. He’s a very tough fighter, but every fighter in the UFC is tough. I prepared very well; I think I’m in the best shape of my career and I believe that I’ll show it in the fight.”