Joe Kropschot talks DWCS win, UFC debut vs. Nick Klein on Halloween night

Coming off of one of the most highlight-worthy sequences against Jon Kunneman earlier this year, the 31-year-old San Ramon Scrap Pack representative looks to earn his first win in the UFC as he takes on promotional veteran Nick Klein on October 31st at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Although he holds just nine professional fights, Klein got off to a hot start in the promotion, earning a first-round rear-naked choke over favorite Heraldo Souza in his Dana White’s Contender Series bout in 2024. Since then, Klein has dropped two bouts in a row, with both losses coming by way of TKO in the second round.

When speaking to the UFC newcomer about his own performance on Contender Series, Kropschot admitted disappointment that his finish rate wasn’t kept intact at 100 percent — but said the matchup tested more of his overall skill set as a fighter than he might otherwise get later into his UFC run.

“I was bummed I didn’t get the finish initially. And then I went up to Dana. I was like, ‘Dude, that arm pop so many times. There’s like two pops on my initial pull on the arm bar. And then when I put it off to my hip, it popped like six more times.’”

Despite seeing plenty of gruesome injuries over the years, it was apparent that the 57-year-old UFC CEO had seen more than enough to send over a contract.

“He was almost grossed out with it when we were talking,” Kropschot said. “And I told him, ‘Dude, I got 100 percent finishes besides this. Next fight’s going to be better.’”

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Despite earning his contract in August, Kropschot says the road there didn’t come without hardship. In his post-fight press conference following the win over Kunneman at Contender Series, he revealed that he had lost his father in the lead-up to the bout. Although his father wasn’t there physically, Kropschot said his presence was felt throughout camp.

“I know my dad would have wanted it … I feel like he was with me in that fight camp a lot, like watching my hill sprints or my hard sparring.”

Despite the hardship on the road to a UFC contract, things are looking up for “The Land Animal” in more ways than one. Kropschot revealed plans to marry his longtime girlfriend and fiancée, Viktorea, on November 5th — just five days after he steps back into the Octagon at the UFC Apex.

“We met when I was 16 … So she’s seen it from the amateurs. We started jiu-jitsu together, so she’s seen the whole process.”