Bobby Green is yet another mixed martial artist who has decided to talk his way into stardom. The rise of the “King” has been as sudden as he has been loud. As he prepares for his co-main event slot at UFC Fight Night 57 against Edson Barboza, this may be the moment that he’s been waiting for to become a face to follow within MMA.
Travel back to UFC 156, when Green walked into the Octagon for the first time to face off against Jacob Volkmann. While Volkmann was far from a fan favorite, he had won six of his last seven fights. That fact made him a +235 underdog heading into the bout, according to Best Fight Odds. He was riding a four-fight win streak at the time and surprised many when he submitted Volkmann via rear-naked choke in the third round.
Since that moment he’s been on quite a run and gaining attention at the same time. His win over Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox 12 was the type of victory that can get experts talking about his viability as a contender in the UFC’s lightweight division.
As Marc Raimondi of Fox Sports commented in his July piece: “Green would have been an underdog against Thomson no matter what. But considering the circumstances, beating one of the best lightweights in the world and registering his name among the elite in the 155-pound division is simply massive.”
The UFC recognized the value of this win, and the California native is now sitting No. 7 within its rankings. Oddly, he’s still behind Thomson but still in a position of value.
The bout against Barboza is a style matchup that fits both fighters in particular ways. However, the fans should reap the benefits as both competitors are known for action-packed contests. This is the exact opportunity that can launch Green’s career to a new point if he can pull off a highlight-reel victory.
He is already taking shots at Donald Cerrone, who is on his own rise within the 155-pound division, via MMA Fighting. If he can take home his ninth straight win by defeating Barboza, this would be the perfect time to call out Cerrone in a title eliminator for 2015.
The fighters who have become bigger stars within mixed martial arts all had their “moment.” Jon Jones smashing Mauricio Rua, Ronda Rousey defeating Liz Carmouche and the Chuck Liddell versus Tito Ortiz series are just three examples of how fighters have seized the moment that led to their stardom. Bobby Green is far off from that same level, but a big win at UFC Fight Night 57 will push him in the right direction.
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