Ludovit Klein steps in for Nate Landwehr at UFC 253 after positive COVID-19 test

A positive COVID-19 test result has forced Nate Landwehr out of his featherweight bout with Shane Young at UFC 253.

The UFC wasted no time finding a replacement for the card later this month, though, as it has signed Ludovit Klein to debut on short notice against Young.

MMA Junkie confirmed Landwehr’s removal and Klein’s replacement status with multiple people close to the situation, who wished to remain anonymous because UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Klein (16-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), is the fist UFC fighter to be signed from Slovakia and at 25, has finished all but one of his career victories. He’ll take on Young (13-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who has never been stopped inside the distance in his career.

The latest UFC 253 lineup now includes:

• Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa – for middleweight title
• Jan Blachowicz vs. Dominick Reyes – for vacant light heavyweight title
• Kai Kara-France vs. Brandon Royval
• Sijara Eubanks vs. Ketlen Vieira
• Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
• Alex da Silva vs. Brad Riddell
• Jake Matthews vs. Diego Sanchez
• Ludovit Klein vs. Shane Young
• Aleksa Camur vs. William Knight
• Juan Espino vs. Jeff Hughes
• Heili Alateng vs. Casey Kenney
• Khadis Ibragimov vs. Danilo Marques