Amidst the excitement surrounding Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, Joel Alvarez has announced his next fight. The Spanish fighter will face Drakkar Klose on December 14, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, in what will be the final UFC event of the year.
This news, revealed during Topuria’s coverage in Abu Dhabi, has already sparked anticipation. Alvarez had previously expressed his desire to return to the cage as soon as possible and appears to be in excellent shape for this showdown.
Joel Alvarez
Joel Álvarez González, born March 2, 1993 in Gijón, Spain, is a leading figure in the world of mixed martial arts. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Competing in the UFC Light Heavyweight division, Alvarez has built an impressive career since turning professional in 2013. He began training in MMA at the age of. 18 years old at the Tibet Sports Center in Gijon. Early in his career, Alvarez fought primarily in his home country, amassing a 15-1 record. His success in the Ansgar Fighting League (AFL) in Spain, where he claimed the lightweight championship, set the stage for his eventual UFC debut.
Alvarez made his UFC debut on February 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos facing Damir Ismagulov but losing by unanimous decision. He quickly recovered and got victories over fighters like Danilo Belluardo, Joseph Duffy y Alexander Yakovlev. Despite some challenges, including missing weight in two fights, Alvarez has consistently demonstrated his submission skills, with 17 of his 21 career wins coming by submission. Notable victories include a first round technical knockout vs. Thiago Moses and a brabo choke submission over Marc Diakiese in 2023.
In his most recent fight on August 3, 2024, Alvarez defeated Elves Brener by technical knockout, earning him the Performance of the Night Award. Now with a record of 21-3, Alvarez is scheduled to face Drakkar Klose on Dec. 14, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63. This upcoming fight could further solidify his position as one of the top contenders in the Light Heavyweight division.
Who is Drakkar Klose?
Drakkar Klose is an American Mixed Martial Arts fighter known for his aggressive fighting style and competes in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. Since his UFC debut in 2017, Klose has compiled an impressive record of 15 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. Despite not being one of the most active fighters, Klose has garnered attention for his streak of four consecutive victories, which has made him a dangerous competitor. This string of victories includes notable wins over Joe Solecki and Joaquim Silva, with Klose showing more authority at the end of his recent fights.
Klose’s journey to the UFC began with a solid amateur career, where he amassed a 7-0 record before moving on to professional competition. After going undefeated in smaller promotions such as Resurrection Fighting Alliance and World Fighting Federation, he signed with UFC in 2016. His UFC career has been marked by consistent performances, including his debut win over Devin Powell in 2017 and a standout win over Brandon Jenkins in 2022, which earned him Performance of the Night honors. However, despite his recent success, Klose has yet to crack the top 15 in his division.
Outside of the octagon, Klose has experience rooted in wrestling, as he won a state championship in high school before turning to mixed martial arts. Born and raised in South Haven, Michigan, Klose eventually moved to Arizona to further his MMA career. He is married to fellow UFC fighter Cortney Casey, and together they have a son named Kingston, born in 2018. Klose is now preparing for his next fight against Joel Alvarez on December 14, 2024, where he hopes to continue his rise in UFC. competitive Light Heavyweight division.
Fight Breakdown
Drakkar Klose’s aggressive style is noticeable, but he lacks the polished technique of a fighter like Joel Alvarez. Klose tends to attack with open arms, looking to land hard punches, but he lacks the range and technical accuracy that Alvarez possesses. While Klose has shown good wrestling skills and ground control, Alvarez’s takedown defense is expected to be strong enough to neutralize those threats.
An intriguing aspect of this fight will be how Alvarez handles Klose’s submission threat, although Alvarez has proven to be able to outbox his opponents in the past. In this matchup, Alvarez appears to have the advantage when it comes to striking and dictating the pace of the fight.
Is Alvarez El Favorito?
Despite Klose’s recent success, Alvarez comes into this fight as the favorite. His advantages in reach, technique and experience in the top 15 give him a significant advantage over Klose, who has struggled to reach the higher ranks.
All signs point to an exciting fight, but if Joel Alvarez maintains his current form, he could end the year with a big win.
