Jeremy Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose is the co-main event for UFC Fight night betting on April 17 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
This should be an exciting bout between an aggressive fan favorite in Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens and an up-and-coming fighter looking to rebound from a big loss in Klose.
UFC betting lines for this fight opened as a pick'em before money came in on Stephens, moving him to a slim favorite at -122.
Here are our best free Stephens vs. Klose picks and predictions for UFC Fight Night on Saturday, April 17.
Stephens vs Klose fight odds
| Method of Victory | Jeremy Stephens | Drakkar Klose |
|---|---|---|
| Win Outright | -132 | +108 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +220 | +500 |
| Win by Points | +300 | +220 |
| Win by Submission | +2,600 | +1,600 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Stephens vs Klose betting preview
Stephens is the No. 9 ranked featherweight contender and will be fighting at lightweight for the first time since 2012. He is on a four-fight losing streak, albeit against some of the top fighters in the 145-pound division like Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodríguez, Zabit Magomedsharipov and José Aldo.
Stephens' last victory was a second-round knockout against Josh Emmett more than three years ago. The 34-year-old has been in the UFC since 2007 and is known for his high-pressure striking and power, with 19 of his 28 career MMA wins coming by way of knockout.
Drakker Klose is coming off a loss to Beneil Dariush at UFC 248 last March. Klose landed a flurry of heavy punches early in the second round but Dariush managed to recover and starched Klose with a highlight-reel knockout.
Prior to that defeat, Klose had won five of his first six fights in the octagon with each bout going the distance. The 33-year-old is a well-rounded fighter that combines solid wrestling with technical boxing ability.
Stephens vs Klose tale of the tape
| Jeremy Stephens | Drakkar Klose | |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Age | 33 |
| 5-foot-9 | Height | 5-foot-9 |
| 150 lbs | Weight | 156 lbs |
| 71 inches | Reach | 70 inches |
| 28-18-0 (19 KO) | Record | 11-2-1 (4 KO) |
Stephens vs Klose UFC predictions and betting picks
PREDICTION: Moneyline Klose (+100) - Even though Stephens is just one year older than Klose, he has been fighting in the UFC for an entire decade longer. While that means Lil' Heathen has a big advantage in experience, it also means he has taken a lot more punishment over his career, including a UFC record 17 losses inside the octagon.
The self-proclaimed hardest hitter at 145 pounds will now move up to 155, where he lost three fights in a row before dropping down all the way back in 2012. At this stage of his career, Stephens is still a dangerous striker but he's also very hittable and simply can't withstand the damage he used to walk through.
Klose can take this fight wherever it goes, and his counter-punching and ability to maintain range will pose problems for Stephens' aggressive style. Back Klose to grind out a win.
Where can I bet on UFC odds?
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