Drakkar Klose is stepping back into the octagon with heavy emotions still close to his heart.
Late last year, Klose’s brother was tragically murdered. He fought shortly afterward, hoping the competition might help him cope, but he admits he wasn’t in the right headspace. After taking time away to grieve and reflect, Klose now feels ready for a fresh start — and that begins with a showdown against Edson Barboza at UFC 319.
“This timing feels perfect for me,” Klose told Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “In my last fight, I was still dealing with my brother’s death. I took the fight in his honor, but mentally, I wasn’t all there. When someone’s murdered like that… it’s something you never truly get over. I had to step back and figure things out for myself.”
Now refreshed and motivated, Klose is excited for the challenge ahead.
“Man, I’m pumped. If I go in there, finish him, my name’s right back in the mix. I’ve always felt like I’m just outside that top-15, but if I do my job, I’ll be right there in the conversation again,” he said.
Even as the betting underdog, Klose isn’t short on confidence. He believes his skill set matches up well against Barboza’s style.
“If I stick to my game plan, it’s going to be a great night for me,” he explained. “I’m going to strike with him — it all starts on the feet — but he can be taken down, and he tends to gas out pretty quick.”
A win would be a milestone for Klose, marking his 10th UFC victory — something only a select group of fighters can claim.
“That’s huge,” Klose said. “Not many guys have 10 UFC wins. But for me now, it’s also about taking care of my family. That’s what drives me.”