Lando Vannata burst onto the UFC scene in 2016, giving future Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson a run for his money in a Fight of the Night effort.
Vannata has only won one of his four UFC fights, but has walked away with bonuses in all four of his bouts. In total, Vannata looks to clear $300,000 in his first two years in the UFC, not bad for a relative unknown prior. At UFC 226, he's tasked with Drakkar Klose during International Fight Week, who Vannata tells Fightful's James Lynch he matches up well with.
"Managing your energy. Being efficient. I have these stellar first round where no one can touch me. I'm dropping dudes, then I fall off in the second round and pick it back up in the third. Now we're working on building. Not coming out guns blazing, building building building, working up and ending each round at a hard pace," said Vannata.
As far as the contents of the fight, Vannata has a well-established game plan for his opponent in Klose. With legendary trainer Greg Jackson in his corner, Vannata appeared confident.
"I think I'm going to pick him apart for three rounds. I know his strengths, and I'm going to shut him down when he gets in his safety zone. I'm not going out there looking for a finish or to knock him the f--- out with a spinning wheel kick. I feel like I won that last fight with Bobby (Green). I think it keeps me in the mix," Vannata said.
In the full interview Lando Vannata (9-2-1) discusses his upcoming fight against Drakkar Klose (8-1-1) at UFC 226 on July 7.
