DWCS winner Joseph Kropschot lands UFC debut just weeks after earning contract

Joseph Kropschot will make his UFC debut sooner than most Contender Series winners. The DWCS Season 10 Week 1 contract recipient has been booked to face Nick Klein at UFC Fight Night on October 31 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas—just over two and a half months after earning his contract.

Kropschot (9-3) earned his UFC deal on August 11 by defeating Jonathan Kunneman via unanimous decision in a three-round affair on the opening episode of DWCS 2026. The victory capped an impressive run: he has won his last five fights heading into the Contender Series. Notably, his contract-winning decision over Kunneman marked the only decision victory of his career, adding to the impressiveness of his debut performance.

Klein (6-3) last competed in August 2025, suffering a technical knockout loss to Andrey Pulyaev. His UFC tenure has proven challenging thus far—he lost his promotional debut to Mansur Abdul-Malik after earning a DWCS contract in 2024, leaving him with a 0-1 record in the UFC. The matchup offers Klein a chance to snap a two-fight losing streak and record his first octagon victory.

For Kropschot, the quick turnaround provides an opportunity to build on his Contender Series success and officially launch his UFC career. The pairing sets up an intriguing clash between a rising prospect riding momentum and an established UFC fighter searching for his first win.