Bobby Green does not lack for confidence heading into this weekend.
This Saturday, Green faces surging lightweight contender Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC Vegas 49. It’s a short-notice fight for Green, who just dominated Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 271 two weeks ago, but when Makhachev’s original opponent Beneil Dariush was injured, Green saw his opportunity to jump in. Green will now face Makhachev who many believe is a future champion of the division. However, Green does not care much about the fight.
“Is he championship material?” Green said at the UFC pre-fight press conference. “He’s been really downplaying me, and I’m going to keep it 100 with you: he’s a good opponent. He’s certainly — his win streak has been impressive, and he is definitely championship-worthy based on wins. However, I believe that when it comes down to MMA, it is what product you are selling… The public will buy the most valuable thing they can find.
” With Islam, he does the right thing, but it can be boring. Even if he’s getting finishes, it’s still been boring! So my whole thing is entertainment, excitement. So he can be championship material, but it’s just f*cking boring. It’s not something anyone wants to see. Nobody cares. It’s not like anyone cares.
” For some guys it’s just one match. The win is all that matters. Everybody just wants to win. And that’s cool for those guys [but] that’s never really been my intentions. It wasn’t about me winning. I cared about entertaining, I cared about my style, I cared about what type of sh*t I’m putting out and if somebody wants to see it, because a lot of these things, nobody wants to see. These things will not be viewed again .”
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Whether you are boring or not, Makhachev has proved to be a highly efficient trainer. The longtime training partner of and anointed successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently on a 9-fight win streak in the UFC thanks to his smothering wrestling game and his superb striking defense. Green acknowledges that it will be difficult to entertain against this style, but he believes he is capable of pulling it off.
“I’ve got a long test ahead of me with these boring guys,” Green said. Jason [House, Green’s manager] also heard it. “Jason! This guy is so boring!” How am I going to make this man interesting? What can I do to achieve this? What can I do? Do I have the strength to pull this one from my mouth? I believe I can …
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“It’s gonna be fun. That’s all I want to do is make sure it’s fun.”
Given the circumstances of his accepting the fight, simply putting on a good performance will be a moral victory for Green, but if he can pull off the upset, then a whole new world of opportunities will open up. Makhachev is currently tied for No. 4 at lightweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings and a win will launch Green into the upper echelons of the division and possibly even a title eliminator bout. But even if it does, like in the fight on Saturday, Green is just gonna roll with the punches.
“It is the same as it was yesterday, there hasn’t been any change: My goals, my intentions and my pursuit.” Green stated. “I never cared about the title and if it didn’t come or came, it wouldn’t matter. It wouldn’t matter to me. If they want to honor me with that, cool. My thing is, keep the money coming [laughs] and keep my activity going.”
UFC Vegas 49 takes place this Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
TOP STORIES
Results. Kleber Koike survives early scare, taps Ulka Sasaki in main event of RIZIN Trigger 2.
Acquisition. Triller acquires ‘majority stake’ in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Tragic. Video shows Jon Jones head-butting police car, telling officers: ‘Hurt me and kill me.’
Boxing. Gegard Mousasi targeting Anderson Silva for boxing match: ‘Anderson, don’t run away from me.’
Thanos. Robert Whittaker believes third fight with Israel Adesanya is inevitable: ‘I’m gonna be the best ever.’
Suspension. Adam Piccolotti suspended after sharing video that shows him vomiting during Bellator 274 weight cut.
Suspension. UFC bantamweight Zviad Lazishvili suspended 10 months for USADA violation.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Top Finishes From UFC Vegas 49 Fighters.
UFC 271 Commentary Reactions.
Road to Bellator 275.
Jamahal Hill coming for Volkan Oezdemir.
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. Joanna Jedrzejczyk discusses on her UFC contract and plans for the future.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Absolutely classless.
Tremendous news. Guess you finally knocked some sense into her @johnnybones https://t.co/RobNklPU9c pic.twitter.com/T7sENat43I
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) February 23, 2022
Big energy.
I like the energy and confidence Bobby Green is walking into this fight with! Gonna be fun to see his style clash with Islam in there!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 23, 2022
Israel Adesanya and Michael Page.
A couple of humble stand up guys. pic.twitter.com/vIejYNKkNo
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) February 23, 2022
Dominick Cruz angling to fight Jose Aldo.
I agree with you Champ.
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) February 23, 2022
Just because something is popular does not necessarily mean that it is great.
Mike Mazzulli suspends and fines Adam Piccolotti for sharing a video of him throwing up during a weight cut. Mike Mazzulli does some crazy shit every year to get himself in the headlines. One of the biggest assholes in the game. You’re in for an adventure if you live in South OK. https://t.co/LYVUmaWhg6
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) February 24, 2022
USADA.
Im a clean boy pic.twitter.com/lCWiNonkfr
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) February 23, 2022
I would never cheat on myself pic.twitter.com/o0kz6eMF4I
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) February 23, 2022
Like father like son.
My son Kage carrying on the tradition pic.twitter.com/BBiNetOowx
— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) February 23, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Shinya Aoki (47-9, 1 NC) vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama (15-7, 2 NC); ONE X, March 26.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Best wishes and Godspeed to all of Ukraine, and those who have family there.
EXIT POLL
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