Joe Kropschot submits Nick Klein in UFC debut, earns $100K
The jiu-jitsu black belt finished Klein in the second round at UFC Vegas 123, less than three months after an opponent refused to tap on the Contender Series
Joe Kropschot made his UFC debut a memorable one on Saturday night (Oct. 31) at UFC Vegas 123, at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. The jiu-jitsu black belt took Nick Klein’s back, locked up an inverted triangle and finished with an armbar at 1:25 of the second round. The win earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
The finish meant a little more to him. Back in August, on Dana White’s Contender Series, Kropschot had a late armbar locked in, but his opponent refused to tap and the fight went to the judges.
How Kropschot submitted Nick Klein
Klein came out aggressive and landed some sharp jabs. Kropschot answered with calf kicks, one of which dropped his opponent. Klein got back up quickly and scored a takedown.
On the mat, Kropschot reversed the position, took the back and went for a rear-naked choke. Klein survived to the horn, but all three judges gave the first round to Kropschot.
In the second round, Klein shot for another takedown. Kropschot climbed onto his back, isolated an arm and closed the inverted triangle. With the arm trapped, he extended for the armbar and got the tap.
Grapplers know the sequence well: the inverted triangle traps the head and one arm, leaving the armbar ready as a follow-up. In MMA, with gloves and strikes involved, it is rare to see that transition come together so cleanly. Earlier in October, the UFC in Las Vegas saw Brendan Allen choke out Duncan in round five in a main event.
The armbar that didn’t end it on the Contender Series
Kropschot earned his UFC deal on the Contender Series. On Aug. 11, he faced undefeated Jon Kunneman, who was 10-0. Late in the third round, Kropschot locked in an armbar, but Kunneman refused to tap and his elbow was dislocated.
The fight went to the scorecards, and Kropschot won a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) and a contract. “I cannot believe he didn’t tap,” he said in his post-fight interview.
From LFA champion to the UFC
The 31-year-old was born in San Ramon, California, and trains with Skrap Pack. Before the UFC, he was the LFA middleweight champion: in February, he submitted previously unbeaten David Allakhverdiev with a rear-naked choke in the second round to take the belt.
The win over Klein moved him to 10-3 as a pro, with six straight wins. Most of his career victories have come by submission, according to his official UFC profile.
Speaking to Daniel Cormier in the Octagon, Kropschot said the bonus comes at a good time. “Man, it feels great to get the finish,” he said. “I’m getting married five days after this with my fiancée. We’ve been together since I was 16.”
On the same card, Renato Moicano was stopped by Tom Nolan in the main event after the referee stood the fight up. Nolan, Julian Erosa and Lucia Szabová also took home Performance of the Night bonuses.
UFC Vegas 123 full results
- Tom Nolan def. Renato Moicano by TKO (punches and elbows) at 1:28 of round 3
- Jacobe Smith def. Randy Brown by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
- Cody Durden def. Ode Osbourne by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Luana Santos def. Yana Santos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani def. Farman Hasanov by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 2:11 of round 3
- Dakota Hope def. Francis Marshall by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Rodrigo Sezinando def. Theodor Berggren by TKO (doctor stoppage) at the end of round 2
- Julian Erosa def. Jeong Yeong Lee by KO (punches) at 1:31 of round 1
- Zachary Reese def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Joe Kropschot def. Nick Klein by submission (inverted triangle armbar) at 1:25 of round 2
- Piera Rodriguez def. Talita Alencar by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Lucia Szabová def. Tainara Lisboa by TKO (punches) at 3:20 of round 3
Can Joe Kropschot ride his jiu-jitsu up the UFC middleweight ladder? Let us know in the comments.
Read more:
- Renato Moicano loses to Tom Nolan after disputed stand-up
- Brendan Allen chokes out Duncan in round five and calls for Du Plessis
- Brendson Ribeiro wins by guillotine at UFC Vegas 122, asks for help finding missing brother
