Ľudovít “Mr. Highlight” Klein is undoubtedly a lightweight phenom. That is not only because of his high-level fighting ability, although that too, but also because Klein has gone on a seven-fight unbeaten streak without ever getting a shot at a top-15 opponent.
The closest thing Mr. Highlight ever got to a shot at the top was his bout against Thiago Moises in June last year. With a convincing victory throughout all three rounds, you’d think the Slovenian would get his long-awaited shot in the rankings, or at least a known opponent.
Instead, the promotion mockingly decided to give Klein Roosevelt Roberts, who was cut from the UFC in 2021 and found his way back through The Ultimate Figter 31 (where he lost in the semi-finals).
“If you want something done right, do it yourself,” they say. It is time to take the matchmaking into my own hands and give the man some worthy options.
Mateusz Rębecki
Mateus Rębecki is coming off a Fight of the Year contender against Myktybek Orolbai in October 2024. A win over a hyped-up prospect has put Mateusz back on track after a beating by the vet Carlos Diego Ferreira. Taking a life-changing amount of damage in 2024, Mateusz has proven himself in the unranked area of the 155-pound division.
The Pole has elite grappling in his back pocket, though he recently fell in love with his hands.
Ľudovít is the more technical boxer out of the two, with a 91% takedown defence to keep it standing. I’d consider Klein a favorite, but not at all a lock, considering Polish power and the slick BJJ of Rębecki.
Mateusz Gamrot
Mateusz Gamrot lost his latest fight to Dan Hooker at UFC 305 in Australia. A closely contested bout took Gamrot out of the top 5 and offset his three-fight winning streak. Gamrot may not present as much power as Rębecki, but you can argue that he is the better kickboxer. Even in defeat to Hooker, he showed off his ability to slug it out in moments with one of the best kickboxers in the division.
To add some spice to the matchup, Klein had called Gamrot out on X, after which he accused him of not taking the fight.
Beneil Dariush
Dariush is a popular name to call out nowadays, considering both Grant Dawson and Mauricio Ruffy have targeted the veteran as their next opponent. With the options of the hyped-up Ruffy and ranked Dawson on the table, I doubt Beneil would go for a matchup against a dangerous dark horse in Klein.
Though, in my opinion, L’udovit might just be the guy to pass the test of the old guard lightweights. Previously, Rafael Fiziev, Mateusz Gamrot and Benoit Saint-Denis have failed this task.
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