UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Nolan: Nick Klein vs Joseph Kropschot · Middleweight, three rounds · Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 · Meta APEX, Las Vegas · Prelims 5 PM ET, main card 8 PM ET (UFC.com)
Joseph Kropschot (9-3) makes his UFC debut 81 days after winning on the Contender Series, against Nick Klein (6-3; 0-2 UFC), who returns after 455 days. Both men look for the rear-naked choke. This breakdown sticks to the numbers and does not call a winner.
Klein vs Kropschot at a glance
- Frame: Kropschot is 6'3" with a 79" reach (UFC.com). Klein is 6'1" with a 77" reach.
- Klein's pattern: He had the Round 1 edge in both UFC fights and was stopped in Round 2 both times.
- Kropschot's pattern: Six of nine pro wins by submission, including three straight Round 2 rear-naked chokes.
- Streaks: Kropschot has won five straight. Klein has lost two straight.
- Age: Both are 31.
Klein vs Kropschot stats and styles
UFC fights only unless noted, from UFCStats.com via the FightingStats matchup report (records from UFC.com and Sherdog).
- Nick Klein: Wrestling and the back. 7:49 of control per 15 minutes in the UFC, and his last three pro wins were rear-naked chokes. He also landed 21 leg kicks against Mansur Abdul-Malik.
- Klein's weak spot: Round 2. Abdul-Malik (knee and punches) and Andrey Pulyaev (body kick and punches) both stopped him there.
- Joseph Kropschot: Submissions. He also went three rounds to beat an unbeaten opponent, Jonathan Kunneman, on the Contender Series in August 2026.
- Kropschot's unknown: UFC competition. This is his debut.
What to watch in Klein vs Kropschot
- Round 2. Klein's two UFC losses and Kropschot's last three finishes all came there.
- Back exposure. Both are rear-naked choke finishers.
- Klein's layoff against Kropschot's 81-day turnaround.
Klein vs Kropschot recent form
- Nick Klein, last three: L Andrey Pulyaev, TKO R2 1:31 (Aug 2, 2025) · L Mansur Abdul-Malik, TKO R2 3:24 (Feb 22, 2025) · W Heraldo Souza, rear-naked choke R1 0:37, Contender Series (Oct 15, 2024).
- Joseph Kropschot, last three: W Jonathan Kunneman, unanimous decision, Contender Series (Aug 11, 2026) · W David Allakhverdiev, rear-naked choke R2 3:24, LFA 226 (Feb 6, 2026) · W Adland Benson, rear-naked choke R2 3:58, LFA 208 (May 9, 2025).
The FightingStats Tape Index lists 9 career bouts for Klein (6 with film) and 12 for Kropschot (9 with film).
Go deeper: Klein vs Kropschot stats comparison · Tape Index: every career bout on the card, with film · Full Klein vs Kropschot matchup report (PDF) · Main event: Moicano vs Nolan breakdown · Results
Klein vs Kropschot FAQ
Is this Joseph Kropschot's UFC debut?
Yes. Kropschot is 9-3 and earned his spot with a unanimous decision over Jonathan Kunneman on the Contender Series on Aug 11, 2026.
How has Nick Klein lost in the UFC?
By TKO in Round 2 both times, to Mansur Abdul-Malik in February 2025 and Andrey Pulyaev in August 2025, after winning Round 1 on the stats in both.
When is Klein vs Kropschot?
Saturday, Oct 31, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, on UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Nolan. UFC.com lists the prelims at 5 PM ET and the main card at 8 PM ET.
Fight week on Fighting Stats: Follow along on Patreon for member posts through fight week.
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