Ľudovít Klein

Ľudovít Klein (born February 22, 1995) is a Slovak mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background Ľudovít Klein was born in Nové Zámky, where he also started his sports career. When he was about 12 years old, Klein secretly signed up for boxing training as he feared his parents' reaction. After the first training sessions he was already aware that martial arts would accompany him throughout his life. Later, the boxing club he was involved in broke up and for some time he did not know which direction to take. As he wanted to continue his hobby, he signed up for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. He trained for a long time in the Thomas Bilishich Martial Arts Academy. He later added Thai boxing to his martial arts training, which is how he first heard about the amateur MMA league. Subsequently, he started to devote himself to it.

In the beginning he earned his living as a bouncer at discos, where he was often picked on because of his shorter stature.

The first match outside Slovakia did not turn out as expected. Klein lost to Igor Tarytsa at A-Fight 5 via KO. He won 2 matches in the ACB, and managed to finish both in the second round. He returned to Slovakia for one match against Moric Besztercei, which he left as the winner. At the weigh-ins, Klein weighed in at 150 pounds, four pounds over the non-title featherweight fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Klein was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Young. Klein won the fight via knockout in round one.

Klein faced Michael Trizano on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. 11 out of 14 media scores gave the fight to Klein.

Klein faced Nate Landwehr on October 16, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 195. He lost the fight in the third round via a submission due to an anaconda choke.

Klein faced Devonte Smith, replacing injured Erick Gonzalez, on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272. He won the fight via split decision.

Klein was scheduled to face Ignacio Bahamondes on August 30, 2022, at UFC 277. However, Bahamondes pulled out on July 15, 2022, and Klein was rebooked against Mason Jones a week earlier at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Klein faced Jai Herbert on March 18, 2023, at UFC 286. The fight ended in a majority draw.

Klein was scheduled to face Jim Miller on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. However, Klein pulled out on May 19 due to illness and was replaced by Jared Gordon.

Klein was rescheduled to face Ignacio Bahamondes on August 5, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 226. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Klein was scheduled to face Joel Álvarez on March 2, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 238. However, Álvarez was replaced by AJ Cunningham for unknown reasons. Klein won by technical knockout as a result of a body kick and follow-up punches at the end of the first round.

Klein faced Thiago Moisés on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Klein was scheduled to face Nikolas Motta on September 28, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 243. However, Motta withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and was replaced with Roosevelt Roberts. Klein won the fight by unanimous decision.

Klein was scheduled to face Mateusz Gamrot on May 31, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 68. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Klein faced Mateusz Rębecki on October 26, 2025, at UFC 321. He won the fight by majority decision. This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award.

Klein faced Tofiq Musayev on August 1, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 283. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the second round.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time)