.png)
Islam Makhachev made a statement that if he wanted to stand out as the next UFC lightweight title contender, he would have to get rid of Bobby Green as soon as he was ready and he could.
Islam Makhachev did exactly what he said he would do, dismissing Bobby Green in five minutes. Makhachev took a few minutes to get Green's timing before washing his opponent and leaving UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush, a title eliminator, was originally scheduled for Saturday's Fight Night. Dariush was ruled out due to injury, which opened the door for Green to step up in 14 days after defeating Nasrat Haparast in UFC 272. Makhachev acknowledged that he needed to finish in the first round to win the UFC lightweight title shot against winner Charles Oliveira VS Justin Gaethje. Makhachev stood his ground.
Makhachev and Green tried to outsmart each other's technique and attack until about the first half of the round. Makhachev then vowed to attack and shell, but refused to give up. While Green was second to none, he initially performed well in thwarting the offensive, but Makhachev's power could not be denied. Khabib Nurmagomedov's followers continued to take down together until he grounded Green and worked towards the mountain.
Makhachev caught Green between the full mount and the backmount, attacking the opponent full of shelling until referee Herb Dean finished the match. Round 1 officially ended at 3:23 a.m. via TKO.
Makhachev (21-1) has won 10 and 11 straight out of his last 12 in the UFC. A native of Dagestan, he is a longtime training partner of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is now his coach. Makhachev, 30, was expected to take a torch from Nurmagomedov and become a champion after Normagomedov's retirement. It was a plan devised by Nurmagomedov's late father, Abdelmanap, a longtime coach of both men.
"I'm feeling good. Thank God for this performance. I'm very happy. I just want a title fight," Makhachev said in a post-fight interview. I'm tired of all these things. I need a title fight. I'm ready. I am present. "
" Beneil is one of the best people in the world. I'm going to get this belt and I'll be there waiting for him."
Green (29-12-1), a fan favorite, had been on something of a late-career roll, winning five of his past seven fights coming in and two straight. A California native, he defeated Nasrat Haqparast via unanimous decision at UFC 271 on Feb. 12. Green, 35, has been a pro fighter for 14 years and in the UFC since 2013.
"I'm really disappointed but it happens when you try to put something together so fast. There are so many things we've gone through. I'd love another chance with the whole camp," Green said. "
The question is, will Makhachev win the title?
Who will be the winner of Oliveira VS Justin Gaethje?
And winner will he be able to stop Makhachev's conquests?
Comments