Ľudovít Klein was born in Nové Zámky, where he also started his sports career. When he was about 12 years old, Klein secretly signed up for boxing training as he feared his parents' reaction. After the first training sessions he was already aware that martial arts would accompany him throughout his life. Later, the boxing club he was involved in broke up and for some time he did not know which direction to take. As he wanted to continue his hobby, he signed up for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. He trained for a long time in the Thomas Bilishich Martial Arts Academy. He later added Thai boxing to his martial arts training, which is how he first heard about the amateur MMA league. Subsequently, he started to devote himself to it.[2][3]
In the beginning he earned his living as a bouncer at discos, where he was often picked on because of his shorter stature.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Klein joined the professional MMA as a relatively experienced amateur. After a couple of performances on smaller Slovak shows, his potential was noticed by the Slovak MMA legend Attila Végh, who brought him to his gym based on his great performances. On the domestic scene, Lajoš went undefeated in his first six fights in smaller Slovak organizations, after which he decided to go abroad.[4]
The first match outside Slovakia did not turn out as expected. Klein lost to Igor Tarytsa at A-Fight 5 via KO. He won 2 matches in the ACB, and managed to finish both in the second round. He returned to Slovakia for one match against Moric Besztercei, which he left as the winner.[4]
He came to the British Cage Warriors as a favorite, but he fell short, losing to Aiden Lee . He finished Lajoš in the first round via submission and Klein decided to return home to Slovakia.[4]
With a record of 9-2, Klein transferred to Oktagon MMA. In it he fought two times, giving dominant performances and winning both fights before the limit. In the second match against Matěj Kuzník, he headlined Oktagon 5.[4]
Subsequently, he bounced for 2 matches in the competing XFN. In both, he won the bouts comfortably, but decided to return to the Oktagon due to problems in the organization.[4]
In the Oktagon 12 tournament, he defeated the Brazilian William Lima in the first round, followed by wins against João Paulo Rodrigues at Oktagon 14 and Łukasz Sajewski at Oktagon Prime 3, ending both subsequent matches with his signature head kick.[4]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Klein, as a replacement for Nate Landwehr, faced Shane Young on 27 September 2020 at UFC 253.[5] At the weigh-ins, Klein weighed in at 150 pounds, four pounds over the non-title featherweight fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Klein was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Young.[6] Klein won the fight via knockout in round one.[7]
Klein was scheduled to face Joel Álvarez on March 2, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 238.[24]
However, Álvarez was replaced by AJ Cunningham for unknown reasons.[25] Klein won by technical knockout as a result of a body kick and follow-up punches at the end of the first round.[26]
Klein was scheduled to face Nikolas Motta on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243.[29] However, Motta withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and was replaced with Roosevelt Roberts.[30] Klein won the fight by unanimous decision.[31]
