In what was the biggest fight of his career, the Inland Empire’s Bobby Green proved that he is ready to contend in the UFC’s lightweight division. Green won a very close split decision victory over longtime MMA veteran, Josh Thomson.
The score cards were 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in Green’s favor.
The first fight on the UFC on FOX 12 main card took place primarily on the feet, with Green holding the center of the cage and stalking, while Thomson circled found offense from the middle. The 27-year old Green talked and taunted Thomson the whole fight, keeping his hands low but mixing up his attack.
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The wrestler Thomson returned the favor, laughing whenever he was touched up in an exchange. Though Green held a distinct advantage in total strikes, Thomson’s at times appeared more effect. Throughout the three rounds, Thomson was unable to take the fight to the ground except for a brief moment in the second round. Green scrambled to his feet before any real damage could be done.
With the victory, Green has now won eight fights in a row, and is now 4-0 in the UFC (23-5 overall). In defeat, the favorite Thomson — who was ranked No. 3 — drops to 20-7-1 for his career. He has now lost two very narrow split decisions in a row. His last came against former UFC champion Ben Henderson at UFC on FOX 10 in January.