LAS VEGAS — Jacob Volkmann was one of the biggest favorites on the UFC 156 card. He had come into the event winning six out of seven bouts since moving to lightweight, and was nearly 4-to-1 to beat the debuting Bobby Green.
But in a major upset, Green stifled Volkmann’s grappling attack from the second round on, and took over late, eventually finishing Volkmann with a rear naked choke at 4:25 of the third.
The finish came just after a Volkmann takedown. As he was on Green’s back, Green was able to use the fence to reverse position and he ended up in top position. He landed a series of strikes and elbows, causing Volkmann to give up his back, and he sunk in the choke for the win.
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Volkmann had won the first round by getting the fight to the ground and looking for a rear naked choke of his won, but Green was never in any serious trouble.
As Green got more comfortable with defending the takedown, he opened up his striking and landed several hard head shots and body kicks. And he also hurt Volkmann in the second with elbows from the top before a questionable standup by referee Kim Winslow while he was in half-guard. Still, it was probably enough to win the round, and even if he hadn’t secured the tapout, he likely would have won by decision.
Green is now 20-5 after his first octagon win while Volkmann fell to 15-4.