Lando Vannata meets Drakkar Klose at UFC 226

Two UFC lightweight prospects looking to return to winning ways are set to square off at International Fight Week.

Lando Vannata vs. Drakkar Klose is booked for July’s UFC 226, the Las Vegas Review-Journalreported Wednesday. UFC officials have not yet confirmed the matchup.

Vannata (9-2-1) is coming off a draw in an entertaining scrap against veteran Bobby Green atUFC 216 last October. Prior to that, he fell to rising contender David Teymur by decision in another fun, back-and-forth bout.

The 26-year-old’s first two UFC bouts were: a submission loss to current top contender Tony Ferguson (on short notice); and a highlight-reel knockout win over John Makdessi. His official record in the Octagon is 1-2-1.

Klose (8-1-1) also shares a decision loss to Teymur; that was Klose’s last fight at UFC 218 last December in Detroit. The MMA Lab product made his UFC debut in January 2017, defeatingDevin Powell by decision. He followed that victory up with an upset over Marc Diakiese last summer.

The UFC 226 bout order has not yet been finalized, but Vannata vs. Klose will likely be part of the preliminary card.

UFC 226 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 7. In the main event, heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic faces 205-pound king Daniel Cormier. In the co-feature, featherweight titleholder Max Holloway defends his belt against jiu-jitsu ace Brian Ortega.