MMA Match Preview: Edson Barboza (24-12) vs. Drakkar Klose (15-3-1)

Fight Details

Attribute	Info
Event	UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev
Matchup	Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose
Division	Lightweight (155 lbs)
Date	Saturday, August 16, 2025
Venue	United Center, Chicago, IL
Broadcast	ESPN+, UFC Fight Pass
Bout Placement	Preliminary Card

Fighter Breakdown

Edson “Junior” Barboza

Record: 24–12

Age: 39

Height/Reach: 5’11” / 75″

Recent Form: Loss to Lerone Murphy, win over Sodiq Yusuff

Style: Elite Muay Thai striker with devastating leg kicks

Key Traits:

KO wins over Beneil Dariush, Dan Hooker, and Terry Etim

Known for spinning attacks and body shots

Returning to lightweight after featherweight stint

Drakkar Klose

Record: 15–3–1

Age: 37

Height/Reach: 5’9″ / 70″

Recent Form: Wins over Joaquim Silva and Joe Solecki; loss to Joel Alvarez

Style: Pressure fighter with solid wrestling and boxing

Key Traits:

Durable and consistent

Strong clinch control and cage pressure

Trains out of MMA Lab in Arizona

Tactical Preview

Barboza’s Path to Victory:

Keep distance and use leg kicks to slow Klose’s forward pressure

Counter with speed and precision

Avoid clinch and takedown exchanges

Klose’s Path to Victory:

Close the distance and grind Barboza against the cage

Mix in takedowns to wear down Barboza’s legs

Stay defensively sound against spinning attacks

Rankings & Implications

Fighter	Lightweight Rank (Global)
Edson Barboza	#27
Drakkar Klose	#24

A win for Klose could earn him a top-20 opponent

A win for Barboza would reestablish his relevance at lightweight