Klidson Abreu signs with the UFC, meets Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Prague
A pair of finishes in Russia earned Klidson Abreu a contract with the UFC, as the Brazilian light heavyweight steps in for injured Darko Stosic against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Prague on Feb. 23. Both fighters confirmed the news on social media following reports by Russian outlets.
Ankalaev (10-1) scored a first-round knockout win over Marcin Prachnio last September, bouncing back from a loss to Paul Craig in his Octagon debut in March 2018. It was a fight he was dominating before getting trapped in a triangle choke and losing in the very last second.
Abreu (14-2), a former Brave light heavyweight champion, is riding a six-fight winning streak. Abreu scored the biggest win of his career last July, submitting former M-1 champion Viktor Nemkov in Russia. Four months later, he moved up to heavyweight to submit Anton Vyazigin, again in enemy territory.
Speaking with MMA Fighting last August, prior to his victory over Vyazigin, Abreu said “UFC is everyone’s dream, and I want that.”
”I think I’m the No. 1 in Brazil,” said Abreu, who also holds a submission win over Brazilian sensation Johnny Walker in a heavyweight bout. “I won the Brave belt, won in Russia now. If they put me to fight in Russia again, I’ll win. I think I deserve a chance. If they are listening, give me a spot in the UFC and I’ll put on a show.”
The UFC Fight Night card will take place at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, and features Jan Blachowicz vs. Thiago Santos in the main event.