MMA News

Tag: Bobby Green

  • UFC 328 Fighter Says He Couldn’t Sleep For Days After Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Stole $300,000 Worth Of Jewelry

    UFC 328 Fighter Says He Couldn’t Sleep For Days After Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Stole $300,000 Worth Of Jewelry

    King Green says he’s entering UFC 328 carrying far more frustration than usual after allegedly losing $300,000 worth of jewelry in what he described as a betrayal by an ex-girlfriend.

    Speaking during Wednesday’s UFC 328 media day in Newark, Green unexpectedly opened up about the situation while discussing his motivation heading into Saturday’s lightweight matchup against Jeremy Stephens.

    “I just lost $300,000 in jewelry,” Green revealed. “So I got to make up and get some more monies. I’m hot right now, bro. I’ve really been through a lot right now lately. It’s been a real dark path.”

    The veteran fighter later explained that the alleged theft happened shortly after moving into a new home. According to Green, an ex-girlfriend contacted him asking for financial help due to a family emergency.

    “I had an ex-girlfriend, she was basically hitting me up saying, somebody died and she needed some money to help her and stuff,” Green said. “I help people, I take care of people.”

    King Green Says Alleged Theft Left Him Unable To Sleep

    The 39-year-old Californian claimed he allowed her to stop by the house while he headed out for training, unaware that his jewelry collection had been left inside instead of his vehicle, where he normally keeps it.

    “So, I let her come by, gave her a little money and stuff, trying to help her out,” Green said. “I left to go to practice. I left my jewelry in the house. I just bought a new house, I’m in the house maybe a week.”

    “I normally keep it in my car because I know I’m with some crazy motherfu*ker, and she took everything.”

    The incident appears to have deeply affected the longtime UFC veteran emotionally as well as financially.

    “Bro, I couldn’t sleep for like five days, driving around looking for my sh*t,” Green said. “It’s been fu*king dark, bro, it’s been real dark.”

    Despite the turmoil outside the cage, Green enters UFC 328 riding a two-fight winning streak and remains a betting favorite against Stephens. He also made it clear that the financial loss has added extra urgency to his fighting schedule moving forward.

    “I need all that and some more,” Green said while discussing potential bonus money at UFC 328. “I’m that mad, I’m that pissed. I need that and more, so I plan on coming right back to work after this and do another one.”

  • VIDEO: Mauricio Ruffy Faceplants King Green With Devastating Wheel Kick At UFC 313

    VIDEO: Mauricio Ruffy Faceplants King Green With Devastating Wheel Kick At UFC 313

    The Fighting Nerds continue to do amazing things in the Octagon, with Mauricio Ruffy opening up the UFC 313 pay-per-view main card in style courtesy of a highlight, first-round knockout of King Green.

    Green started the fight on the back foot as he tried to strategize against Ruffy, but that led to “One Shot” hitting him with a hook that left its mark.

    About a minute later, the Brazilian put the veteran away in brutal fashion, landing a spinning head kick that faceplanted Green.

    Mauricio Ruffy Lands Heavy Wheel Kick To KO King Green At UFC 313

    https://twitter.com/mmaclipz2025/status/1898575699029725627

    Ruffy is now 3-0 in the Octagon after winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in late 2023. He previously scored victories over Jamie Mullarkey and James Llontop at UFC 301 and UFC 309, respectively.

    Green, meanwhile, is now 1-3 in his last four fights but is 3-3 in his most recent six. Last year saw Green defeat Jim Miller but fall short against Paddy Pimblett.

  • Paddy Pimblett Sends Message To His Haters Following UFC 304 Win Over King Green: ‘People Are Going To Move The Goal Posts’

    Paddy Pimblett Sends Message To His Haters Following UFC 304 Win Over King Green: ‘People Are Going To Move The Goal Posts’

    Paddy Pimblett made a huge statement at UFC 304, scoring an easy first-round submission of King Green in under four minutes and likely clinching a spot in the UFC’s lightweight rankings.

    After Pimblett nailed Green with several low kicks early in the fight, the veteran American made a questionable decision by trying to take down “The Baddy,” who is a grappling expert. Pimblett countered with a guillotine before transitioning into a triangle choke, which Pimblett told ESPN MMA’s Megan Olivi after the fight is his favorite kind of submission.

    As Pimblett looked for an armbar, Green could be seen unconscious, giving him a submission win.

    When Pimblett reflected on how the fight played out, he expressed concern that others might move the goal posts and say that Green, who was ranked No. 15, is not the kind of quality opponent to get him into the rankings.

    The Liverpool native, however, had a counterargument in mind.

    “First person in the UFC to submit Bobby Green, and that’s like his 25th UFC fight or something like that,” Pimblett said. “Even Islam [Makhachev] couldn’t do that. But people are going to keep underestimating me. People are going to move the goal posts now and say, ‘Oh Bobby is finished, Bobby this, Bobby that,’ when last week it was, ‘Bobby’s going to beat Paddy up. Bobby’s going to do this to him, he’s going to do that, he’s going to dog-walk him.’ What happened?”

    Paddy Pimblett May Be Cageside For Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis In Paris After UFC 304 Win

    In the Octagon at UFC 304, Pimblett called out Renato Moicano for his next fight. Though the two have had exchanges on social media, the Brazilian s currently booked to face Benoît Saint Denis in Paris on September 28.

    While Pimblett hopes to be placed at No. 10 in the rankings, he will take being at No. 15, as he looks up toward other contenders to continue his momentum and rise up the 155 ranks.

    “Before this Bobby Green fight got made, me and Renato were speaking about each other on Twitter,” Pimblett said. “A lot of people up front of me in the rankings can’t really say no. The only thing about Renato now is that he’s got a fight. He’s fighting BSD in Paris. You never know, might end up going out there. Might end up being cageside for that.”

    Moicano and Saint Denis are set to headline the upcoming UFC Fight Night in the French capital, with the former looking to build on his momentum from a knockout of Jalin Turner at UFC 300 and “God of War” hoping to bounce back from his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 299.

  • ‘Don’t Mess With Paddy On The Ground, Sheesh’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React As Paddy Pimblett Makes It Look Easy Against King Green At UFC 304

    ‘Don’t Mess With Paddy On The Ground, Sheesh’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React As Paddy Pimblett Makes It Look Easy Against King Green At UFC 304

    There can be no question that Paddy Pimblett is legit now, as he will have a ranking next to his name after his win over King Green (formerly Bobby Green) at UFC 304.

    Green looked to use the leg kicks and set things up early, but he found himself unable to establish the jab.

    In a move that baffled people late in the first round, Green shot in for a takedown. Pimblett easily countered it and looked for a guillotine before transitioning into a triangle choke. Pimblett sunk in the triangle in tight, and as he looked to turn it into a triangle armbar, it could be seen that Green was out cold, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

    Following the fight, Pimblett used the opportunity to call out Renato Moicano.

    Paddy Pimblett Makes Emphatic Statement With Easy First-Round Submission Of King Green At UFC 304

    https://twitter.com/adfive/status/1817407817764024380

    Pimblett has now won eight straight and is a perfect 6-0 in the UFC. His win streak also includes names such as Tony Ferguson, Jared Gordon and Jordan Leavitt.

    Green has now lost two of his last three, though he has still won three of his last six.

  • UFC Commentator Surprised Paddy Pimblett Is Considering Influencer Boxing Ahead Of Last Fight On Contract: ‘One Of The Most Dynamic Grapplers…’

    UFC Commentator Surprised Paddy Pimblett Is Considering Influencer Boxing Ahead Of Last Fight On Contract: ‘One Of The Most Dynamic Grapplers…’

    UFC commentator John Gooden recently voiced his astonishment after Paddy Pimblett revealed he is contemplating a move to influencer boxing as he approaches the final fight of his UFC contract.

    “The Baddy” is poised to go head-to-head against King Green on the main card of UFC 304. The pay-per-view will take place on July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, giving Pimblett the opportunity to shine in front of his home crowd.

    Pimblett is gearing up for his sixth UFC bout, which will also mark the end of his initial contract with the MMA promotion. A victory against “King” could launch him into the lightweight rankings.

    However, the 29-year-old Scouser recently hinted in an interview with MMA Junkie that he might leave the UFC for lucrative boxing matches against YouTube influencers, suggesting he could earn more money outside the Octagon.

    Pimblett’s remarks have left Gooden utterly perplexed, prompting him to question what could drive one of the UFC’s most promising prospects to even consider boxing YouTubers…

    Gooden Trusts Pimblett’s Hard-Earned UFC Spot Will Keep Him Grounded

    During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden reacted to Pimblett’s notion of leaving the UFC for a boxing career. The British UFC commentator stressed that “The Baddy” needs to secure a win in his upcoming fight to gain leverage in negotiations for his second contract with the promotion.

    He believes a victory would significantly strengthen Pimblett’s bargaining power when discussing his future with the UFC.

    “It would just hurt the numbers right if he doesn’t come away with a win against King Green,” Gooden said. “Then you know that you’re negotiating; you’re going to the table with a quite different approach. I would imagine I was surprised to hear him talk about boxing.”

    “I don’t know if it was just something that had been across his socials like 30 minutes before he jumped on whatever it was and then spoke about it.”

    Gooden further elaborated, praising Pimblett as a high-caliber MMA fighter who has made a tremendous effort to reach the UFC. He mentioned that Pimblett shouldn’t squander this hard-earned opportunity so easily.

    “Paddy, for me, is one of the most dynamic grapplers that we’ve seen come out of the UK. His ability to take the back is phenomenal, and his finishing ability with submissions is his top draw, so seeing him go into boxing is like, really, are you sure? I’m a little confused about that, and deep down, you know Paddy had a.”
    “I think he turned down the UFC in the past in order to really make a good, conscientious run with enough kinds of veteran-ship to make a run in the UFC, so I know it means something for him to be in the organization.”

    Pimblett is riding high after securing a unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 last December. Since joining the UFC in September 2021, the Englishman has racked up an impressive five-fight win streak.

    Given his strong fan base in Europe and his status as a rising star, it wouldn’t make sense for the promotion to let him go easily. Pimblett’s popularity and potential make him a valuable asset for the UFC.

  • Paddy Pimblett: ‘Fickle’ MMA Fans Will Be Back On My Side After I Knock Bobby Green Out At UFC 304

    Paddy Pimblett: ‘Fickle’ MMA Fans Will Be Back On My Side After I Knock Bobby Green Out At UFC 304

    Having seen a portion of the fanbase turn against him, UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett expects to reverse that at the expense of Bobby Green.

    Pimblett broke onto the scene in a big way following his UFC signing in 2021, winning his debut via knockout and subsequently recording two memorable submissions on home soil at London-held UFC Fight Nights in 2022.

    But just as his following grew and rise to stardom accelerated, the tide appeared to turn when “The Baddy” made his pay-per-view debut opposite Jared Gordon in Las Vegas later that year.

    While all three scorecards went in his favor, many cried robbery and began to dismiss the Liverpudlian as a legitimate threat to those high up the 155-pound ladder. And having suffered a foot injury, Pimblett had to wait a full year to answer his critics.

    Last December at UFC 296, he remained unbeaten by getting the better of former interim champion Tony Ferguson. But having once again gone to a decision, and given the length of “El Cucuy’s” losing streak entering the bout, the result appeared to do little to stifle “The Baddy’s” detractors.

    He’ll have another chance to do so at the upcoming UFC 304 pay-per-view event in Manchester, England, where Pimblett is set to share the Octagon with ranked opposition for the very first time.

    And with a violent victory over Bobby “King” Green on July 27, the former Cage Warriors champ expects the “fickle” MMA fans to start backing him once again…

    Pimblett: It’s ‘Popular’ To Hate On Me Right Now

    During a recent interview with Ben Fowlkes for Yahoo! Sports, Pimblett looked ahead to his opening assignment of 2024 and first outing on home soil in two years.

    When asked about some of the backlash he gets from the fans for topics ranging from in-cage performances to weight gain in-between his Octagon appearances, Pimblett suggested that it’s simply “popular” to speak negatively about him.

    But with a dominant and emphatic display at the expense of Green at UFC 304, “The Baddy” expects his former supporters to return.

    “Haters are gonna hate. I don’t give a f*ck what people on the Internet say, lad. I see people comment stuff all the time,” Pimblett said. “It’s a popular thing at the minute to hate on me. Ever since that Jared Gordon fight, it’s popular. Before that fight, I was the best thing since sliced bread. I was great, everyone loved me. Then I have a close decision that three judges decided I won — not me, I didn’t pick the winner — and everyone turns on you.

    “That’s the thing in this sport, lad. MMA fans are so fickle. It’s one of them. I come out in this fight and knock Bobby Green, everyone will be back on side,” Pimblett added.

    Pimblett will look to make good on his promise to finish Green inside the distance. More so than regaining fan support, that’s in order for “The Baddy” to debut in the lightweight rankings and begin his planned four-fight path to the title.

  • Leon Edwards Breaks Down & Predicts UFC 304 Fights Featuring Fellow Countrymen Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    Leon Edwards Breaks Down & Predicts UFC 304 Fights Featuring Fellow Countrymen Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    While focused on his own assignment at UFC 304, welterweight champion Leon Edwards recently assessed a few other notable matchups set for July 27.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will head back across the pond toward the end of this month, visiting an English city other than London for the first time since pre-pandemic.

    The newly built Co-op Live in Manchester is set to play host to UFC 304, a pay-per-view event topped by two British champions in Edwards and Tom Aspinall.

    “Rocky” is expecting both him and the interim heavyweight kingpin to emerge with the gold still in their possession. And his support of fellow countrymen goes beyond just his fellow champ…

    Edwards Backs Aspinall, Pimblett, Allen To Join Him As Home Winners In Manchester

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Edwards looked ahead to his upcoming Octagon outing, which comes 16 months on from his previous home fight in England’s capital.

    After analyzing his main event showdown with Muhammad for the welterweight gold, “Rocky” had his attention turned to some of the other notable bouts set to play out in Manchester featuring his compatriots.

    That included the other champion with whom he’s sharing the poster, interim heavyweight titleholder Aspinall.

    “I pick Tom for the win,” Edwards said. “Obviously (Curtis) Blaydes is a solid opponent; great wrestling, good boxing as well. But I feel like Tom is just like, for heavyweight, quite fast and moves well on his feet. So yeah, I favor Tom for the win.”

    Edwards’ next pick came with a self-admitted bias, as he backed fellow Team Renegade standout Arnold Allen to bounce back from his widely debated setback against Movsar Evloev this past January in Canada.

    “I’ve got Arnold (against Giga Chikadze). He’s my training partner, you know?” Edwards noted. “I know how hard he works in the gym and just how good he is. He’s looking good now in training camp, so I’ve got Arnold.”

    “Rocky” then went three for three on the home picks, predicting victory for Pimblett in his toughest Octagon assignment to date against #15-rankled lightweight Bobby “King” Green.

    “That’s a good one,” Edwards said, pondering more than his previous predictions. “I’ll go Paddy. I’ll go all-British through here. I’ll go Paddy but I feel like Bobby’s a dangerous fight for him. Probably his toughest test.”

    Come fight night, Edwards will no doubt be more concerned about his prediction for his own fight against Muhammad coming to fruition.

    While his first two defenses against Usman and Covington went to the scorecards, the Jamaican-born Brit is vowing to finish “Remember the Name” before the championship rounds when they run it back later this month.

  • Paddy Pimblett Lays Down A Challenge For Bobby Green At UFC 304: ‘Let’s See If You’ve Got The Balls…’

    Paddy Pimblett Lays Down A Challenge For Bobby Green At UFC 304: ‘Let’s See If You’ve Got The Balls…’

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett will welcome Bobby Green to enemy territory later this month, and he’s also hoping to welcome him to the ground come fight night.

    After returning from a lengthy injury layoff last December to add the prominent name of former interim champion Tony Ferguson to his growing résumé, Pimblett is set to be back on home soil for his first assignment of 2024 on July 27.

    Prior to two championship headliners at UFC 304, Pimblett will make the walk inside Manchester’s Co-op Live for his first shot at cracking the rankings at 155 pounds.

    The opportunity comes against “King” Green, a veteran contender who is coming off a hard-fought decision victory over Jim Miller on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

    In the lead-up, “The Baddy” has insisted that Green’s chin has “gone,” leaving him open to knockouts. Despite that, though, the Liverpool native has challenged the 37-year-old Californian in a different realm of the game…

    Pimblett Invites Green To Put His Money Where His Mouth Is At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Pimblett documented the late stages of his UFC 304 fight camp.

    And speaking to the camera while at his gym, Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, “The Baddy” made note of some of Green’s past comments regarding a possible submission and laid down a challenge for “King.”

    “Bobby makes me laugh. … You was talking about me in 2021, 2022,” Pimblett said. “I also seen a story the other week, him saying, ‘Anyone can knock anyone out with a lucky punch. But Paddy, you’re saying you’re gonna submit me. You can’t submit me!’

    “Grapple with me then, lad? Back your word up,” Pimblett continued. “We both know that you can strike, even though you’ve got no power. We both know that I’ll strike with you and that you can get knocked out. Grapple with me! Let’s see if you’ve got the balls to grapple with me after saying I won’t submit you. Come on, let’s see.”

    It remains to be seen if Green will respond to Pimblett’s challenge.

    But whether on the ground or the feet, “The Baddy” will be looking to thrill his home fans once again, having not competed in the UK since a pair of London triumphs in 2022, both of which came via submission.

  • Paddy Pimblett Reacts To Green Changing First Name To ‘King’ Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Can Officially Call Me The Kingslayer’

    Paddy Pimblett Reacts To Green Changing First Name To ‘King’ Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Can Officially Call Me The Kingslayer’

    Paddy Pimblett looks to continue his undefeated streak in the UFC when he returns on July 27 at UFC 304.

    “The Baddy” is sure to get an incredible reaction when he makes the walk in Manchester, despite it being the early hours of the morning.

    His opponent, while known as a fan favorite on the roster, will be welcomed to England as the away fighter, but this won’t phase the #15-ranked lightweight.

    In fact, his next outing is set to be the first of a new chapter in his career after King Green, formerly known as Bobby Green, announced that he had officially changed his name on social media.

    Paddy Pimblett Reacts To UFC 304 Opponent Changing His Name To King Green

    Green had laid out his plans in the past for wanting to change his first name to his longtime fight moniker in order to show just how far he has come in his career and what he has been able to achieve.

    July 27 will be his 50th professional fight, but flying to England to face a star like Pimblett after changing his name to King is sure to be one of the most memorable.

    It didn’t take long for his opponent to catch wind of this news, as “The Baddy” prepares to face the same man under a different name.

    He posted on social media to give his thoughts on this change for Green and, suffice to say, he won’t be following suit anytime soon…

    “This mushroom has actually changed his name to King so yous can officially call me the Kingslayer on July 28th”

    UFC 304 will be headlined by two title fights, with welterweight champion Leon Edwards’ rematch against Belal Muhammad and interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall’s second dance opposite Curtis Blaydes following Green vs. Pimblett.

  • MMA News Today: Dana White Hits Back At Claims UFC Is A ‘Monopoly’, Ranked UFC Fighter Legally Changes First Name To ‘King’, & More

    MMA News Today: Dana White Hits Back At Claims UFC Is A ‘Monopoly’, Ranked UFC Fighter Legally Changes First Name To ‘King’, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 8, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • White argues that UFC is the best at what they do rather than a monopoly
    • There’s a new “King” in the lightweight division
    • Top 15 lightweights scheduled for UFC’s return to Paris

    Dana White Insists UFC Isn’t A Monopoly Because ‘Anyone’ Can Start An MMA Promotion

    During the long process of the antitrust lawsuit that was filed against the UFC by former members of the roster, the case was granted class certification.

    While a settlement was eventually reached, many concluded that the class certification validated the allegation that the UFC holds a monopoly over the sport. Unsurprisingly, the promotion disagreeds with that notion.

    Dana White spoke out on this during a recent interview with Fox News, where he debated the idea that the MMA leader prevents others from being able to compete at its level.

    He made the case that the UFC is simply the best at what it does, but that it’s not stopping others from trying to replicate the success achieved by the sport’s leading promotion.

    “People have called us ‘monopoly’ and all this stuff for years. We’re not a monopoly, we’re just the best,” White said. “We’re the best at what we do, there’s no barrier to entry, anyone could get into this.

    “You could start a league tomorrow and pay the guys whatever you want, you can do whatever you want but a lot of smart, talented, big business moguls have got into this sport and tried to compete with me and they couldn’t do it,” White continued. “But everybody — there’s no barrier to entry, anyone can get into this thing tomorrow.”

    Bobby Green Officially Changes His Name To ‘King’ Green Ahead Of UFC 304 Return

    Islam Makhachev sits atop the UFC’s lightweight division as the world champion and pound-for-pound best fighter in the sport. Now, however, 155 pounds has a new king.

    #15-ranked Bobby Green made his intentions clear in the past that he was looking to change his name, but it has now been made official.

    When he makes the walk at UFC 304 later this month to face Paddy Pimblett, he will do so under a new name, King Green.

    He gave fans a glimpse of the official documentation on Instagram, which clearly shows that from this point on, he will answer to King and King only.

    Renato Moicano Set To Face Benoît Saint Denis In Paris Over Five Rounds

    The Octagon is set to return to the French capital for a third consecutive year, with UFC Paris going down at the Accor Arena on September 28.

    Ag. Fight reported that top 15 lightweights will face off in Paris with France’s Benoît Saint Denis taking on Brazil’s Renato Moicano. MMA Junkie later confirmed that the contest is set to take place over five rounds.

    It remains to be seen whether that marks the break of Ciryl Gane’s streak of Paris headliners, or if “God of War” and his Brazilian counterpart are set for a five-round co-headliner.

    Moicano is riding a three-fight win streak from the #10 spot, while Saint Denis, who is two spots below him in the rankings, will look to bounce back from his defeat to Dustin Poirier in March.

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • What’s Next After UFC 303? Full Confirmed UFC 304 Main Card For Manchester On July 27

    What’s Next After UFC 303? Full Confirmed UFC 304 Main Card For Manchester On July 27

    UFC 303 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

    The promotion was in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week, where the T-Mobile Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for International Fight Week. Of note were victories for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, fast-rising featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes, and undefeated welterweight Ian Garry.

    While the aftermath of the June 29 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the light heavyweight title picture to the 170-pound championship conversation.

    At UFC 304, set for the newly built Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on July 27, reigning welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards will make the walk for the first time this year, making his third defense of the gold in a rematch against Belal Muhammad.

    There will also be title stakes between familiar opponents in the co-headliner, as interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall runs it back with Curtis Blaydes two years on from his devastating knee injury opposite “Razor” just 15 seconds into their UFC Fight Night main event in London.

    Pimblett, Mokaev, Allen Set The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 304

    Before Edwards and Aspinall defend their championships on home soil in the main and co-main events, respectively, a number of other high-profile Brits will take to the Octagon looking to make the post of their position on the major card.

    That includes up-and-coming lightweight Paddy Pimblett, who gets his toughest test to date in the form of the #15-ranked Bobby Green. After extending his unbeaten UFC record to 5-0 by getting the better of Tony Ferguson, the Liverpool native has the chance to break through into the top 15 against “King,” who most recently outpointed Jim Miller on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

    Prior to that, Dagestan-born Brit Muhammad Mokaev will look to stake his claim for a first shot at the flyweight gold when he meets former Rizin champion Manel Kape. “The Young Punisher” most recently edged past ex-title challenger Alex Perez at the Apex in March. “Starboy,” meanwhile, hasn’t competed since a victory at UFC 293 in Sydney last September, with a weight miss and injury subsequently scrapping his two scheduled rematches with Matheus Nicolau this year.

    Another local favorite will open the main card, with Ipswich native Arnold Allen looking to get back on track. Following a valiant effort in defeat against Max Holloway in Kansas City last April, “Almighty” fell on the wrong side of a tight and debated decision opposite Movsar Evloev at UFC 297 in Toronto, Canada, this past January. To bounce back, Allen must halt the resurgence of striking specialist Giga Chikadze, who most recently returned to winning ways at the expense of Alex Caceres in Singapore last August.

    See below for the full UFC 304 card, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Leon Edwards (C) vs. Belal Muhammad (welterweight championship main event)
    • Tom Aspinall (C) vs. Curtis Blaydes  (interim heavyweight championship co-main event)
    • Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett (lightweight)
    • Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape (flyweight)
    • Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze (featherweight)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Nathaniel Wood vs. Daniel Pineda (featherweight)
    • Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil (women’s strawweight)
    • Caolán Loughran vs. Ramon Tavares (bantamweight)
    • Mick Parkin vs. Łukasz Brzeski (heavyweight)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons (welterweight)
    • Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues (middleweight)
    • Sam Patterson vs. Kiefer Crosbie (welterweight)
    • Shauna Bannon vs. Ravena Oliveira (women’s strawweight)
    • Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio (light heavyweight) 
    Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports

  • Bobby Green On Islam Makhachev: I Get It Now

    UFC veteran Bobby Green now understands what makes Islam Makhachev so formidable after spending a few minutes of Octagon time with him.

    Green stepped up on short notice to face Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. He filled in for the injured Beneil Dariush just weeks after earning a decisive win over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 271.

    Makhachev has long been seen as the heir apparent to former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. He appears on the verge of a title shot following his first-round TKO finish of Green.

    Fighters have seemed to have a different perspective on Makhachev’s skillset after spending time inside the cage with him. During his UFC Vegas 49 post-fight interview with ESPN’s Megan Olivi, Green explained how Makhachev can overwhelm his opposition.

    “Yeah, I got it now,” Green said. “So what they do is, they do this little thing where he’s so patient, he’s so strong, and he just goes little, little, little, little, until he gets right where he wants to be, you know? And so, I tried to do some turning over, and as I did it, he went to mount, and he was so strong at holding his mount, so I was like; ‘interesting.’ I tried to turn, and I couldn’t move out of it, and I’m like ‘no one’s been that strong before.’ So, I gotta work on my weight training and get on my muscles to build that strength for this division.”

    Makhachev will more than likely get the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje later this year. Oliveira and Gaethje will square off in the UFC 274 main event in May.

    Green had won back-to-back fights before the loss to Makhachev. He earned a violent knockout of Al Iaquinta at UFC 268 before putting on a boxing clinic against Haqparast.

    If Green’s comments are any indication, fighters need to develop a certain type of skill set to challenge a talent of Makhachev’s caliber.

    Who do you want Bobby Green to fight next?

  • Makhachev Still Expects To Fight Dariush Despite UFC Vegas 49 Withdrawal

    Islam Makhachev is still expecting to share the Octagon with Beneil Dariush at some point.

    Islam Makhachev is knocking on the door of a UFC title shot. The young up-and-coming fighter has been making waves in the UFC lightweight division for several years now. Coming up under the tutelage of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is one of the most hyped fighters at 155 pounds at the moment. He will be fighting in the main event of tonight’s UFC Vegas 49 card against Bobby Green.

    Green is a last-minute stand-in; however, as Makhachev’s original opponent, Beneil Dariush was forced out of the bout with an injury recently. Dariush is sitting in the number three spot in the lightweight division rankings. Makhachev was hoping that defeating Dariush would put him even closer to a possible fight with champion Charles Oliveira. Now, with the unranked Green as his next opponent, Makhachev’s title aspirations could be in jeopardy.

    Makhachev is disappointed in Dariush’s withdrawal from the fight, but he expects this chapter to be finished at a later date.

    “I’m a little bit sad because Beneil injured,” Makhachev told Daniel Cormier and Ryan Clark on the DC & RC show. “I really believe we gonna fight again, maybe next year or maybe this year. I heard he have like very bad injuries. He broke his (leg). But Beneil is one of the best in the world. That’s why I really believe we’re gonna fight.”

    The extent of Dariush’s injuries will require him to be out of competition for a bit. He recently updated his condition to let fans know that he may not be requiring surgery, and his timetable for a return is unknown at this time.

    Do you think that Islam Makhachev can still receive a title shot with a victory over Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49 on Saturday night?

  • Green Not Expecting Title Shot With Makhachev Win: “I’m Not Stupid”

    Bobby Green isn’t expecting a title shot, even if he pulls off a massive upset and beats Islam Makhachev tonight at UFC Vegas 49.

    Green is stepping up on 10 days’ notice to take on Makhachev after Beneil Dariush was forced out of the bout due to an injury. The fight will take place at a 160lbs catchweight, and even though Makhachev is fighting a short-notice replacement, many still believe he will get the title shot due to his win streak.

    However, should Green win, he doesn’t believe he will get the title shot.

    “I’m not stupid. I know this is a business. I know that the UFC are the storytellers. They write the story. They don’t tell you who you goin’, and where it’s goin’, and how it’s goin’. I’m just here to play my part. That’s it,” Green said on The MMA Hour. “And so I don’t believe there will be a title shot next. People would be pissed. ‘He just jumped over everybody and blah, blah, blah.

    Bobby Green, Nasrat Haqparast
    © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

    “‘And it doesn’t make sense. And he wasn’t ranked, and blah, blah, blah. And he only has two or three wins (in a row) and blah, blah, blah.’ They’re gonna have every excuse of why I shouldn’t (receive a title shot). And I don’t care. I just want you to put me in front of somebody next and keep this money rollin’ in. That’s all it’s about is money, OK? That’s it.”

    Bobby Green just fought at UFC 271 and defeated Nasrat Haqparast by decision. It was his second win in a row as he scored a TKO victory over Al Iaquinta at UFC 268 prior to that. Green has been in the UFC since 2013, and this will be his first main event. Should he win, this will easily be the biggest win of his career and possibly put him in the top 5 at lightweight.

    Do you think Bobby Green would deserve a title shot with a win over Islam Makhachev?

  • Islam Makhachev Explains Why Charles Oliveira Would Be An Easy Fight

    Islam Makhachev believes his wrestling skills outmatch the lightweight champion’s, which makes it a good, yet easy fight for him.

    The #4 lightweight contender faces off against Bobby Green in a catchweight bout this Saturday, February 26. Green is Beniel Dariush’s replacement, as Dariush suffered an injury a week before the match.

    Makhachev and Green head into their battle with back-to-back impressive wins. Fans anticipate what both fighters will bring to the cage at UFC Fight Night 202.

    Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green
    Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green, Photo Credit: UFC/Twitter

    Some tension has built up leading to their match. For instance, Green says he will be the first fighter to give Makhachev a “real” fight. And Makhachev laughed at Bobby Green’s wrestling skills.

    But that comes as no surprise. Being the wrestling sensation that Makhachev is, he puts his wrestling skills well above many fighters.

    In his last nine straight wins, he racked up four different submissions. Last year alone, he won all of his fights by submission, which includes a kimura to take out Dan Hooker in the first round.

    Though Makhachev credits “Do Bronx” for his striking and grappling, his success leads him to believe he can put Charles Oliveira down with ease in an eventual matchup.

    “It’s gonna be good fight because we almost have same style,” Makhachev said during a UFC Vegas 49 media scrum. He have good grappling skills, he have good striking, and it’s gonna be good fight. And I don’t think it’s gonna be hard for me. I can take him out, take him down easy because I know he don’t have good wrestling skills. But his grappling skills—high level. And we will see who’s better there,” said Makhachev in a pre-fight interview.

    Currently, Oliveira has the most submission wins and finishes in UFC history and has 20 submissions in his entire MMA career. As of now, Makhachev has 10.

    By the time these two amazing grapplers reach each other those numbers can certainly change.

    Oliveira has an upcoming title defense against Justin Gaethje in May. And before that, Makhachev fights for his chance to increase his win streak to ten straight wins.

    Both fights will determine if Makhachev and Oliveira will test their skills against one another in the near future.

    How do you think Islam Makhachev matches up against Charles Oliveira?

  • UFC Vegas 49: Makhachev vs. Green Weigh-In Results & Preview

    The UFC Vegas 49 weigh-in results are in, and we’ve got the scoop for you down below!

    At UFC Vegas 49, Bobby Green will have quite the first-time main event experience when he takes on Islam Makhachev. Both fighters made weight for their 160 lbs. catchweight bout. Ironically, although it was Green who is stepping in on short notice, he came in two pounds lighter (158) than Makhachev (160).

    Not unlike these two athletes, all but one fighter successfully made weight today. The lone exception being Rong Zhu, who came in four pounds over the lightweight limit ahead of his bout against Ignacio Bahamondes. As a result, Zhu was fined 40% of his fight purse and the bout will proceed as scheduled.

    The night’s co-main event will feature Wellington Turman taking on Misha Cirkunov. Another fight to watch will feature MMA News’ #71-ranked fighter of 2021, Arman Tsarukyan, who will be taking on the surging Joel Álvarez, who enters with a three-fight win streak with 16 of his 19 career wins by submission.

    Main Event Preview

    Bobby Green, Islam Makhachev
    Bobby Green, Islam Makhachev

    MMA fans thought they’d be witnessing a title eliminator between Beneil Dariush (#3) and Islam Makhachev (#4) tomorrow night. Instead, Makhachev will be taking on the last-minute replacement of Bobby Green. Green believes that no title eliminator is called for in his pursuit of being the lightweight BMF, for he has already earned that title.

    As for his lightweight peers, Green has instructed them to take notes on how a gangster approaches the fight game both inside and outside of the cage, even against someone as dominant as Islam Makhachev.

    For Green, he says the real test isn’t to get his hand raised tomorrow night against the dominant Makhachev but to make sure the fans go home happy. Tomorrow night, Green plans to become the first person to put Makhachev in a true fight. Indeed, the veteran says that a fight is what viewers can expect as opposed to a wrestling match.

    As one could imagine, Makhachev has other ideas. He believes that he will have no problems taking Green down and submitting him, as evident by his roasting of Green’s wrestling acumen.

    After Dariush’s withdrawal, Makhachev had tried to fight a list of names that he says went on ghost mode. But with the replacement, nothing has changed for Makhachev. His game plan is always the same: pressure, wrestle, and submit. And he now plans on sprinkling in some trash talk along the way, to which Green says he has no problem engaging in as well.

    But judging from today’s face-off, the two aren’t waiting until tomorrow night to begin their trash-talking.

    UFC Vegas 49 Weigh-In Results & Viewing Information

    UFC Vegas 49 takes place Saturday, February 26, 2022, from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The entire card will stream on ESPN+, with the preliminary card kicking off at 4 PM ET and the main card starting at 7 PM ET.

    You can view the full card and weigh-in results below, courtesy of UFC.com.

    MAIN CARD

    Main Event – Catchweight Bout (160-lbs): Islam Makhachev (160)    Bobby Green (158)

    Co-Main Event – Middleweight Bout: Misha Cirkunov (185.5) vs Wellington Turman (185)

    Women’s Flyweight Bout: Ji Yeon Kim (126) vs Priscila Cachoeira (125)

    Lightweight Bout: Arman Tsarukyan (156) vs Joel Alvarez (156)

    Middleweight Bout: Armen Petrosyan (186) vs Gregory Rodrigues (186)

    PRELIMS

    Lightweight Bout: Rong Zhu (160)* vs Ignacio Bahamondes (154.5)

    Women’s Featherweight Bout: Josiane Nunes (145.5) vs Ramona Pascual (146)

    Lightweight Bout: Terrance McKinney (156) vs Fares Ziam (155)

    Featherweight Bout: Alejandro Perez (144.5) vs Jonathan Martinez (144)

    Welterweight Bout: Ramiz Brahimaj (170.5) vs Micheal Gillmore (170.5)

    Flyweight Bout: Victor Altamirano (123) vs Carlos Hernandez (125)

    *Rong Zhu weighed in above the lightweight limit as a result, he was fined 40% of his show money.

    Be sure to keep it locked right here on MMANews.com tomorrow night for full coverage of UFC Vegas 49: Makhachev vs. Green!

  • Green Responds To Makhachev’s Plans Of Trash-Talking During Fight

    Islam Makhachev plans on chatting it up with Booby Green on the canvas at UFC Vegas 49.

    Islam Makhachev will be headlining the upcoming UFC Vegas 49 card this weekend against Bobby Green. There has been a lot of talk about Makhachev and his position in the UFC lightweight rankings lately. On Saturday night, it will be Makhachev who plans on doing the talking once the two hit the mat.

    “We’re gonna talk inside the cage. I’m gonna take him down, then tell him, ‘Hey, let’s go. Get up. Yeah, I’m gonna talk,” Makhachev explained during media day (MMA Junkie). “He gonna talk with me when we beginning, striking, but when I’m gonna take him down, I’m gonna ask him a couple questions.”

    Makhachev is undefeated in his last nine fights. His last three wins all came by submission. He is excellent on the ground and is the protégé of one of the greatest wrestlers in UFC history, Khabib Nurmagomedov. And Makhachev shows just how much he’s learned whenever he is in the cage. Makhachev is often compared to Nurmagomedov in terms of fighting style, and Green also sees another resemblance.

    Green Responds To Makhachev’s Plans

    Bobby Green
    Bobby Green, Image Credit: Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News

    “I think that’s kinda dope. I think it’s dope,” Green said. “Say what you gotta say, brother. Nobody’s holding you back from your words. Say what you say. You are kinda stealing from your big brother Khabib. That was his shit. So you jockin’ his swag.”

    Green is stepping into this fight with Makhachev on short notice. Makhachev’s original opponent, Beneil Dariush, was injured and Green decided to make the quick turnaround and fight. He last secure a win just 12 days ago when he defeated Nasrat Haqparast by unanimous decision at UFC 271. Green has been in the UFC since 2013 and has dealt with his fair share of wrestlers. He was never been submitted in his UFC career.

    Do you think Makhachev’s takedown-and-talk strategy will have an effect on Bobby Green?

  • Green Says The “Real” UFC Vegas 49 Test Isn’t Beating Makhachev

    UFC lightweight Bobby Green says beating Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49 isn’t the only challenge on his mind this weekend.

    Green will step up on short notice for the injured Beneil Dariush to face Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. This comes just weeks after he defeated Nasrat Haqparast via a unanimous decision at UFC 271.

    Green has proven to not be afraid to speak his mind, especially when it comes to his opponents. He’s a brash trash talker inside the cage and has made some of his recent opponents look foolish with his showmanship.

    During his UFC Vegas 49 pre-fight press conference, Green gave an honest assessment on how he views Makhachev’s skillset inside the Octagon.

    “With Islam, he does what he does,” Green said. “But to be honest, it’s kinda boring. Even when he’s getting finishes, it’s still been boring. And so my whole thing is entertainment, excitement. So he can be championship material, but it’s just fuckin’ boring. Nobody wants to see it Nobody cares. I fall asleep watching his fights. And then it’s like, ‘Oh, there’s the finish.’ So they can show a bunch of finishes, which is cool. But it was sleeping, it was boring, it was lackluster.”

    Islam Makhachev Thiago Moises
    (via Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    Green went on to elaborate and hint that he prides himself on putting on signature performances, not just earning monumental victories.

    “So that’s the real test: is making somebody that boring exciting. How can I do that? Can I do that? Can I pull that one out of my ass? Let me see what I can do. I think I can do it.”

    Despite Green’s confidence, he’s seen as a significant underdog against Makhachev. However, some highly recognized MMA personalities have touted the idea of not ruling out an upset by Green.

    The winner of the UFC Vegas 49 headliner could quite possibly emerge as the top lightweight title contender and could face the Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje winner later this year.

    What is your prediction for Bobby Green vs. Islam Makhachev?

  • Bobby Green To Beneil Dariush: “We’re Even Now”

    UFC lightweight Bobby Green is happy to fill in for Beneil Dariush at UFC Vegas 49 after Dariush stepped up for him earlier in their careers.

    Green is set to face rising lightweight contender Islam Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. Green most recently earned a unanimous decision win over Nasrat Harparast just days ago at UFC 271.

    Dariush pulled out of his originally scheduled main event bout with Makhachev after suffering an injury in his training camp. The UFC quickly moved to find a replacement, with Green raising his hand without hesitation.

    During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Green sent Dariush a message after stepping up for him on short notice.

    “Dariush filled in for me for a fight where I got hurt,” Green said. “So Dariush, heal up, get better, I got your back. You filled in for me, now I filled in for you. We’re even.”

    Green is likely referring to when he and Dariush were supposed to square off at UFC 222 in 2018 before Green pulled out with an injury. Dariush would stay on the card and face Alexander Hernandez, suffering a first-round knockout.

    UFC 222 results: Alexander Hernandez shocks Beneil Dariush with first round knockout
    Getty Images

    Green has won back-to-back fights over Haqparast and former lightweight title challenger Al Iaquinta after suffering defeats to Rafael Fiziev and Thiago Moises. He made his UFC debut against Jacob Volkmann back at UFC 156.

    Before suffering an injury, Dariush appeared to be on the verge of a title shot in the lightweight division. He has won seven straight including recent dominant wins over Tony Ferguson and Scott Holtzman.

    It’s unclear how long Dariush will be sidelined as he recovers from his injury. But for now, Green is ready and willing to fill the void and help save the UFC Vegas 49 card.

    What is your prediction for Bobby Green vs. Islam Makhachev?

  • Islam Makhachev Roasts Bobby Green’s Wrestling, Green Isn’t Amused

    Islam Makhachev got a good chuckle when the subject of Bobby Green’s wrestling skills was brought up in a recent interview.

    Fans who have been following Islam Makhachev’s UFC career can attest to just how much his English skills have improved over the years. Makhachev has gone from not speaking English, barely being able to put a sentence together, speaking a moderate amount of English, to now becoming a full-blown roastmaster, at least when it comes to Bobby Green’s wrestling skills.

    At UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev will be facing Green at a 160 lbs. catchweight bout, with Green serving as a replacement for the injured Beneil Dariush. Makhachev appeared on the ESPN program DC & RC, which is co-hosted by a mentor and teammate of Makhachev’s over at American Top Team, Daniel Cormier.

    Makhachev told Cormier and Ryan Clark that his game plan never changes, even when his opponent does. However, Bobby Green was an all-state wrestler at the high school level. With this in mind, Cormier tried to educate Makhachev about Green’s wrestling background that complements his striking, and Makhachev responded by laughing in his face.

    Their dialogue was as follows:

    Daniel Cormier: But with Bobby Green, he’s got a very different style, Islam. He’s very talented, he’s slick, and he’s good on the standup. But what many people miss is how good of a wrestler Bobby Green is. He’s really good at defending takedowns. He has a wrestling background.

    Islam Makhachev: Who said? <laughs>

    Daniel Cormier: Listen, I’m telling you. What do you mean, ‘Who said?’ <laughs> What do you mean?”

    Islam Makhachev: Brother, he got good boxing and that’s it, brother. <wide smile>

    Daniel Cormier: He has a wrestling background, Islam.

    Islam Makhachev: Maybe he watch some wrestling match. That’s it, brother.

    <Cormier & Ryan Clark break out laughing>

    Islam Makhachev: I wrestle, brother, all my life. Wrestling background? <takes swig of water>

    You can view the bulk of the exchange below.

    Bobby Green Isn’t Amused

    During a UFC Vegas 49 media day scrum, it seemed as though Bobby Green had caught wind of Makhachev’s remarks. Green did not directly reference the DC & RC segment, but he clearly has reason to believe that Makhachev is not taking him seriously as a competitor and that Daniel Cormier will continue trying to get through to him.

    “I feel like he doesn’t respect me. He doesn’t understand me, either,” Green said. “I don’t know if he’s been watching, but I know DC is one of his guys. And DC’s gonna let him know. ‘Hey, do this, and do this, and do this.’ DC’s been paying attention to me. We’ll see.”

    If Green has his way, he won’t need to prove his wrestling credentials to Islam because he’s made no secret that he wants the fight to be a standup battle. He has stated that he will be the first person to put Makhachev in a real fight and that it will not be a wrestling match on Saturday but a fight.

    Makhachev has other ideas. He has not hidden his game plan of wrestling with Green. And judging from his reaction to Cormier’s scouting report, he does not believe Green will be equipped to do anything to prevent being put on his back and submitted.

    Do you think Islam Makhachev is underestimating Bobby Green?

  • Bisping & Schaub Tout Bobby Green As Live Underdog Against Makhachev

    Former UFC fighters Michael Bisping and Brendan Schaub think fans shouldn’t count out Bobby Green against Islam Makhachev.

    Green will step up for his second fight in the same amount of weeks against Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. He most recently defeated Nasrat Haqparast with his impressive boxing and movement at UFC 271.

    Green got the call from the UFC to help save the UFC Vegas 49 card after Beneil Dariush suffered a significant injury in camp. While many have praised Green for being game for the short-notice challenge, few fans believe he has a legitimate shot at the elite grappler Makhachev.

    But Bisping and Schaub are proud to be part of that minority. They not only believe that Green can surprise a lot of people against the -900 favorited Makhachev but could also leave Las Vegas with the upset win.

    Michael Bisping Explains Why Bobby Green Has A Reasonable Chance To Pull Off An Upset

    Michael Bisping
    (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping alluded to Green’s underrated ground game as a reason to not rule out an upset at UFC Vegas 49.

    “For Bobby Green to step up, I mean, what an opportunity,” Bisping said. “And by the way, let’s be honest, Bobby can win this fight. On the feet, Bobby is way better, simple as that. Islam can strike, of course. He’s not a one-trick pony. He’s not just a wrestler, right? But he’s nowhere near as fast as Bobby Green. He’s nowhere near as slick. He hasn’t got the footwork, either, that Bobby has. Now, when it comes to wrestling and jiu-jitsu, I’ll give Islam the edge there. He’s better. He’s better in that regard, but you’ve got to get (Green) down.

    “One thing we know about Bobby Green is the sprawl. He has a beautiful sprawl. He also has really, really good takedowns. I doubt he’s going to use these. In this fight, it wouldn’t be smart to take down Islam. That’s just going into his world, giving him what he wants. So Bobby needs to stay on the feet, try and put Islam on the back foot, but be careful that when he goes forward, Islam doesn’t shoot underneath. Obviously he’s going to get taken down. Look at what Islam did against Dan Hooker.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

    Makhachev is arguably one of the top grapplers in the UFC, as evidenced by his most recent first-round submission of Dan Hooker at UFC 267. He has won nine in a row and could be on the verge of a lightweight title shot.

    Brendan Schaub Also Likes The Idea Of Picking An Upset At UFC Vegas 49

    Brendan Schaub
    Image Credit: Desiree Navarro/WireImage via Getty Images

    Schaub, like Bisping, also believes that picking Green may not be an unwise choice. He explained why in a recent episode of The Schaub Show.

    “It’s not a bad idea taking a chance on Bobby Green if you have some extra cash to f*ck around with. It’s not a terrible bet. It’s hard to plan for, short notice, huge underdog, main event. He’s an experienced fighter, very explosive, hard, hard to train for. So we’ll see.

    “I would assume Makhachev tries to take him down early on to take away and nullify that XFactor that is Bobby Green. He gets him down early on, tries to break him, wears him out, nullify that kind of XFactor. Makhachev is an absolute monster when it comes to that.” (h/t BJPenn)

    If Green can shock the world and stop the Makhachev hype train, he’ll no doubt emerge as a top contender in the lightweight division. As for Makhachev, he’s looking to keep his winning streak intact and potentially earn the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje for the belt.

    Do you think Bobby Green has a chance against Islam Makhachev on short notice?

  • Green Wants His Pu**y Peers To Watch How A Gangster Fights Makhachev

    Bobby Green hopes his lightweight peers can learn a thing or two from his actions leading into and during his UFC Vegas 49 main event against Islam Makhachev.

    This Saturday at UFC Vegas 49, Bobby Green will be competing in his first UFC main event when he takes on Islam Makhachev. A bout against the dominant Dagestani is a tall task for any fighter with any amount of preparation, so you can imagine what it must be like to accept this undertaking on less than two weeks’ notice.

    There are at least two men who can relate to accepting a short-notice bout against Makhachev. One of them is Green himself, who will do so in a 160 lb. catchweight bout this weekend. The other is Dan Hooker.

    Dan Hooker
    Dan Hooker

    Hooker recently theorized that the reason Green was picked to face Makhachev instead of someone ranked is because others turned the fight down. He went on to state that they made this decision most likely because they felt the risk did not match the reward.

    In an appearance on The MMA Hour, a very fired-up Bobby Green agreed with Hooker and took it a couple of steps further while throwing in some harsh namecalling.

    “I know already, those top-10 guys, Hooker said it best: All those motherfuckers got the call first. I guarantee you all those guys are pussies! All these guys are fuckin’ pussies. They want to wait and pick their turns. <whiny voice> ‘No, it’s not good enough. No, I need more time. No, I want to fight somebody that’s ahead of me, but then I want it to be the right camp, and I want it to be all the right situations.’

    Bobby Green claims to be lightweight 'BMF' after accepting Makhachev fight on short notice - MMAmania.com
    Bobby Green, Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

    “Like, all those guys play this weird game. I feel like they hold their cards in and they wait for the right time to, ‘Ah, pull out my ace.’ Like, no! Sometimes you gotta jump on it and you just gotta take it the way it is. And now, I’m jumpin’ over all of you guys. Because why? You’re too pussy to take the opportunity.” 

    Green was not done addressing his peers just yet. He would go on to make an expletive-laden public service announcement that they should all tune in this weekend to learn about the ways and walk of a gangster.

    “I’m not crazy. I’m fuckin’ nuts. I’m fuckin’ nuts,” Green continued with measured intensity. “I’ll show all you pussy motherfuckers, this is how I’mma do this shit, OK? Let me show you some real G shit: get in there and do this shit with the highest guy in our fuckin’ division. I’mma walk in there like a gangster and punch that guy right in his fuckin’ face, K? I’m gonna keep hitting him in his face until he go down. And all he’s gonna do is try to wrestle. And that’s cool. He’s gonna wrestle, he’s gonna wrestle, cool. Wrestle, and wrestle, and wrestle, so I can wrestle, too. That’s fine.

    “But at the end of the day, I just want to show my peers, or all my colleagues, or my opponents: This is how the fuck you do this shit. You don’t fuckin’ sit back and wait for the perfect opportunity.”

    Green is currently unranked but has two straight impressive wins and is a proven veteran of the sport. And to his point, a victory over someone with the hype and run of Makhachev, on short notice no less, might have him leapfrog the entire UFC lightweight division in terms of the world title picture.

    Thus, while the short notice might disqualify this from being a “perfect” opportunity for Green, it might only be about five pounds shy from it.

    How do you think the UFC’s lightweight division should receive Bobby Green’s message?

  • Bobby Green Claims BMF Status After Dariush Fill-In Vs. Makhachev

    UFC lightweight contender Bobby Green knows taking a short-notice fight against Islam Makhachev is risky, but he’s ready for the challenge.

    Green was just days removed from his win over Nasrat Harparast at UFC 271 when he got the call to fill in against Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49. This was after Beneil Dariush had to withdraw from the Feb. 26 headliner due to an injury in camp.

    Welterweight star Jorge Masvidal won the promotion’s first, and likely only, BMF title over Nate Diaz at UFC 244. Green thinks his name should be included in the discussion for the hypothetical BMF champion of the 155-pound division.

    In a recent Instagram post, Green hinted that he deserves to be considered the BMF champion of the lightweight division after taking a tough fight against Makhachev in a quick turnaround.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFi6j5p8rD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “If they had one for the lightweight division,” Green said in the caption.

    Green has won two in a row after back-to-back losses to Rafael Fiziev and Thiago Moises. He got back on track with a gruesome knockout over Al Iaquinta at UFC 268 before earning an impressive win over Haqparast.

    Green will face a tough challenge in Makhachev, who is arguably a tough matchup for most lightweights even with a full camp. Makhachev has won nine in a row including most recently over Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

    Many have commended Green for taking the short-notice bout against Makhachev, but some doubt he has what it takes to stop Makhachev’s streak. However, if he’s able to pull off the upset, there won’t be many critics who will doubt his rhetorical BMF lightweight status.

    What is your prediction for Bobby Green vs. Islam Makhachev?

  • Renato Moicano Wants Bobby Green For Main Event Fight This Year

    UFC lightweight Renato Moicano wants a shot at Bobby Green following their respective wins at UFC 271 last weekend.

    Moicano earned a dominant win over Alexander Hernandez shortly after Green put on a striking showcase against Nasrat Haqparast. Both men are right in the thick of things in the lightweight division following their performances at UFC 271.

    Some, including UFC commentator Jon Anik, have called for Green to get a main event slot at an upcoming Fight Night event.

    Yesterday, we learned that Anik and Bobby Green fans will get their wish when Green faces Islam Makhachev on February 26. Prior to that bout being announced, Moicano wanted to be Green’s first main event opponent.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Moicano spoke about what could be next in his UFC career and liked the idea of a fight with Green.

    “I don’t know, let’s see what the UFC has to offer,” Moicano said. “I heard some people are asking for a main event for Bobby Green. Maybe it’s good if we do a Fight Night. I have a lot of respect for Bobby Green. On the same day, he put on a great performance, so did I. He deserves a main event. If he goes to do a main event, I want to be there and fight, promote the fight, get the fans excited about that. But let’s see what the UFC has to offer. Let’s put some guys with action like boxing versus Jiu-Jitsu. I can strike too, it’ll be a fun fight, five rounds and the fans will enjoy.”

    Moicano has now won three of his last four in the Octagon following back-to-back featherweight losses to José Aldo and Chan Sung Jung. He made the move to lightweight in 2020 with his lone defeat in the division coming against rising contender Rafael Fiziev.

    Moicano has been known for his strong grappling base, but his striking has improved in a big way in recent outings. This could make a matchup with Green particularly entertaining for the fans.

    If Green defeats Makhachev on February 26, though, Green would almost surely be looking very high up the lightweight ranks for his next fight. If he loses, a defeat suffered to Makhachev is not exactly anything to hang one’s head over or damage one’s athletic reputation, so there’s a good chance Moicano’s offer would still stand to face Green next.

    Do you want to see Renato Moicano vs. Bobby Green in 2022?

  • Bobby Green Reveals What In-Fight Comment Enraged Him At UFC 271

    One sly in-fight comment from Nasrat Haqparast caused the rage in Bobby Green’s eyes that helped lead to his impressive win at UFC 271.

    Green and Haqparast battled in a three-round war at UFC 271. It was a standup showcase from start to finish as Green displayed impressive boxing and movement throughout the fight.

    Green and Haqparast got off to a slow start in the fight, but that changed over rounds 2 and 3. Haqparast got into Green’s face in between rounds, and that fired up Green going forward.

    During his UFC 271 post-fight press conference, Green talked about what Haqparast said to him that made him visibly furious midway through the fight.

    “Man, I don’t wanna do a lot of talking but he was getting under my skin,” Green said. “He was like coming with this energy and then he said he saw fear in my eyes, and that pissed me off. And I’m like, ‘Oh yeah? what’s up?’. That brings the hood out of me. I wasn’t going to say s**t but then he said s**t that hit me deep in the heart. There’s no f**king fear in me, homie, and my coach was trying to calm me down. I was hot and I just took it personally.”

    Green made the Toyota Center in Houston erupt during and after the fight. He has no personal connections to the area, but the crowd was clearly in his favor before and after putting on a stellar performance against Haqparast.

    Green came into UFC 271 off of a first-round knockout against Al Iaquinta at UFC 268. Before that, he lost back-to-back fights against Thiago Moisés and Rafael Fiziev.

    In terms of what he wants next in his UFC career, Green doesn’t have a specific name in mind. But it seems likely that he’s in line for a big opportunity following an impressive win at UFC 271 after previously hinting at retirement.

    Who do you want to see Bobby Green fight next?