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Islam Makhachev Roasts Bobby Green’s Wrestling, Green Isn’t Amused

Islam Makhachev got a good chuckle when the subject of Bobby Green’s wrestling skills was brought up in a recent interview. Fans who have been following Islam Makhachev’s UFC career can attest to just how much his English skills have improved over the years. Makhachev has gone from not speaking English, barely being able to…

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Roasts Bobby Green’s Wrestling, Green Isn’t Amused at MMA News.

Islam Makhachev got a good chuckle when the subject of Bobby Green’s wrestling skills was brought up in a recent interview.

Fans who have been following Islam Makhachev’s UFC career can attest to just how much his English skills have improved over the years. Makhachev has gone from not speaking English, barely being able to put a sentence together, speaking a moderate amount of English, to now becoming a full-blown roastmaster, at least when it comes to Bobby Green’s wrestling skills.

At UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev will be facing Green at a 160 lbs. catchweight bout, with Green serving as a replacement for the injured Beneil Dariush. Makhachev appeared on the ESPN program DC & RC, which is co-hosted by a mentor and teammate of Makhachev’s over at American Top Team, Daniel Cormier.

Makhachev told Cormier and Ryan Clark that his game plan never changes, even when his opponent does. However, Bobby Green was an all-state wrestler at the high school level. With this in mind, Cormier tried to educate Makhachev about Green’s wrestling background that complements his striking, and Makhachev responded by laughing in his face.

Their dialogue was as follows:

Daniel Cormier: But with Bobby Green, he’s got a very different style, Islam. He’s very talented, he’s slick, and he’s good on the standup. But what many people miss is how good of a wrestler Bobby Green is. He’s really good at defending takedowns. He has a wrestling background.

Islam Makhachev: Who said? <laughs>

Daniel Cormier: Listen, I’m telling you. What do you mean, ‘Who said?’ <laughs> What do you mean?”

Islam Makhachev: Brother, he got good boxing and that’s it, brother. <wide smile>

Daniel Cormier: He has a wrestling background, Islam.

Islam Makhachev: Maybe he watch some wrestling match. That’s it, brother.

Islam Makhachev: I wrestle, brother, all my life. Wrestling background? <takes swig of water>

You can view the bulk of the exchange below.

Bobby Green Isn’t Amused

During a UFC Vegas 49 media day scrum, it seemed as though Bobby Green had caught wind of Makhachev’s remarks. Green did not directly reference the DC & RC segment, but he clearly has reason to believe that Makhachev is not taking him seriously as a competitor and that Daniel Cormier will continue trying to get through to him.

“I feel like he doesn’t respect me. He doesn’t understand me, either,” Green said. “I don’t know if he’s been watching, but I know DC is one of his guys. And DC’s gonna let him know. ‘Hey, do this, and do this, and do this.’ DC’s been paying attention to me. We’ll see.”

If Green has his way, he won’t need to prove his wrestling credentials to Islam because he’s made no secret that he wants the fight to be a standup battle. He has stated that he will be the first person to put Makhachev in a real fight and that it will not be a wrestling match on Saturday but a fight.

Makhachev has other ideas. He has not hidden his game plan of wrestling with Green. And judging from his reaction to Cormier’s scouting report, he does not believe Green will be equipped to do anything to prevent being put on his back and submitted.

Do you think Islam Makhachev is underestimating Bobby Green?

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Islam Makhachev Provides A List Of Names Who May Have Rejected Fight

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev is naming names. This weekend at UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev will look to extend his winning streak to 10 when he takes on Bobby Green in the main event. While a 10th straight victory is always a great look on a fighter’s résumé, it carries much more weight when it…

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Provides A List Of Names Who May Have Rejected Fight at MMA News.

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev is naming names.

This weekend at UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev will look to extend his winning streak to 10 when he takes on Bobby Green in the main event. While a 10th straight victory is always a great look on a fighter’s résumé, it carries much more weight when it comes against a top-3 fighter.

That was the original plan for the surging Makhachev when his sights were set on Beneil Dariush for February 26. That is until Dariush had to pull out of the fight due to injury last week. This caused Makhachev and the UFC to frantically search for a replacement to step in.

Bobby Green: UFC 258 fight cancellation was due to lung, kidney issues - MMA Fighting — Bobby Green, Image Credit: Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

That replacement would turn out to be Bobby Green. While Green is a proven UFC veteran who has displayed his high level in his last two strong outings. the fact remains that he is not ranked in the lightweight division. This begs the question: Who did the UFC turn to first before they landed on Green?

Makhachev Provides List Of Names He Tried To Fight At UFC Vegas 49

One person who knows something about accepting the daunting task of a short-notice Islam Makhachev fight assignment is Dan Hooker. Hooker accepted a fight against Islam Makhachev on a few weeks’ notice when he agreed to face the Dagestani at UFC 267.

Both Hooker and Green came to the same conclusion that there had to be lightweights who rejected the Makhachev fight because they felt the risk did not match the reward.

Makhachev has implied that he has first-hand knowledge that this is exactly what happened when he and the UFC brass came a-knockin’ and only one person arrived at the door.

“When [Manager Ali Abdelaziz] say Beneil have injury, I tell him, ‘Hey, we have [Rafael dos Anjos]. He’s supposed to fight with [Rafael Fiziev], but [Fiziev] have some problem with visa. I say, ‘Hey, he’s ready, I think. Call him. And he say he don’t want.

“I say, ‘Call Tony [Ferguson], call [Gregor] Gillespie, Michael Chandler, someone. And just Bobby. Just Bobby give me answer. And I think this guy need a little bit money, that’s why,” Makhachev said on ESPN’s DC & RC recently.

Makhachev and dos Anjos were supposed to fight last year, but the fight fell through multiple times, with the Dagestani questioning the legitimacy of dos Anjos’ injury when he withdrew from their UFC 267 bout.

As Makhachev alluded to, dos Anjos is currently scheduled to fight Rafael Fiziev only one week later at UFC 272. Fiziev has recently experienced visa issues, so Makhachev thought it to be a practical solution for dos Anjos to replace Dariush, especially since the two were supposed to fight last year anyway.

Instead, we will see Makhachev face Bobby Green this weekend. For Makhachev, it doesn’t make a difference who his opponent is against. He stated that his game plan will remain the same: pressure, wrestle, and submit. If implemented successfully and he gets his hand raised for a 10th consecutive time, he will be expecting a world title shot next.

“Who we have now for the title fight? Justin [Gaethje] and Charles [Oliveira] gonna fight. Who we have? Beneil (is injured) maybe five, six months. But other people, who we have?…

“I really believe (I’m next) because I deserve. This is gonna be 10-fight win streak. And I think 10 fight, this is like key for the title.”

Who would you have liked to see step up to replace Beneil Dariush against Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49?

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Provides A List Of Names Who May Have Rejected Fight at MMA News.

Bisping & Schaub Tout Bobby Green As Live Underdog Against Makhachev

Former UFC fighters Michael Bisping and Brendan Schaub think fans shouldn’t count out Bobby Green against Islam Makhachev. Green will step up for his second fight in the same amount of weeks against Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. He most recently defeated Nasrat Haqparast with his impressive boxing and movement at UFC…

Continue Reading Bisping & Schaub Tout Bobby Green As Live Underdog Against Makhachev at MMA News.

Former UFC fighters Michael Bisping and Brendan Schaub think fans shouldn’t count out Bobby Green against Islam Makhachev.

Green will step up for his second fight in the same amount of weeks against Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. He most recently defeated Nasrat Haqparast with his impressive boxing and movement at UFC 271.

Green got the call from the UFC to help save the UFC Vegas 49 card after Beneil Dariush suffered a significant injury in camp. While many have praised Green for being game for the short-notice challenge, few fans believe he has a legitimate shot at the elite grappler Makhachev.

But Bisping and Schaub are proud to be part of that minority. They not only believe that Green can surprise a lot of people against the -900 favorited Makhachev but could also leave Las Vegas with the upset win.

Michael Bisping Explains Why Bobby Green Has A Reasonable Chance To Pull Off An Upset

During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping alluded to Green’s underrated ground game as a reason to not rule out an upset at UFC Vegas 49.

“For Bobby Green to step up, I mean, what an opportunity,” Bisping said. “And by the way, let’s be honest, Bobby can win this fight. On the feet, Bobby is way better, simple as that. Islam can strike, of course. He’s not a one-trick pony. He’s not just a wrestler, right? But he’s nowhere near as fast as Bobby Green. He’s nowhere near as slick. He hasn’t got the footwork, either, that Bobby has. Now, when it comes to wrestling and jiu-jitsu, I’ll give Islam the edge there. He’s better. He’s better in that regard, but you’ve got to get (Green) down.

“One thing we know about Bobby Green is the sprawl. He has a beautiful sprawl. He also has really, really good takedowns. I doubt he’s going to use these. In this fight, it wouldn’t be smart to take down Islam. That’s just going into his world, giving him what he wants. So Bobby needs to stay on the feet, try and put Islam on the back foot, but be careful that when he goes forward, Islam doesn’t shoot underneath. Obviously he’s going to get taken down. Look at what Islam did against Dan Hooker.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Makhachev is arguably one of the top grapplers in the UFC, as evidenced by his most recent first-round submission of Dan Hooker at UFC 267. He has won nine in a row and could be on the verge of a lightweight title shot.

Brendan Schaub Also Likes The Idea Of Picking An Upset At UFC Vegas 49

Schaub, like Bisping, also believes that picking Green may not be an unwise choice. He explained why in a recent episode of The Schaub Show.

“It’s not a bad idea taking a chance on Bobby Green if you have some extra cash to f*ck around with. It’s not a terrible bet. It’s hard to plan for, short notice, huge underdog, main event. He’s an experienced fighter, very explosive, hard, hard to train for. So we’ll see.

“I would assume Makhachev tries to take him down early on to take away and nullify that XFactor that is Bobby Green. He gets him down early on, tries to break him, wears him out, nullify that kind of XFactor. Makhachev is an absolute monster when it comes to that.” (h/t BJPenn)

If Green can shock the world and stop the Makhachev hype train, he’ll no doubt emerge as a top contender in the lightweight division. As for Makhachev, he’s looking to keep his winning streak intact and potentially earn the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje for the belt.

Do you think Bobby Green has a chance against Islam Makhachev on short notice?

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Hooker Explains Why Fighters Didn’t Face Islam On Short Notice Like Him

Dan Hooker knows firsthand how difficult it is to face Islam Makhachev. The UFC event coming up on Saturday night has gotten a facelift. The main event was originally scheduled between Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev, but unfortunately, Dariush was injured and removed from the fight. Makhachev was still an option but finding him a…

Continue Reading Hooker Explains Why Fighters Didn’t Face Islam On Short Notice Like Him at MMA News.

Dan Hooker knows firsthand how difficult it is to face Islam Makhachev.

The UFC event coming up on Saturday night has gotten a facelift. The main event was originally scheduled between Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev, but unfortunately, Dariush was injured and removed from the fight. Makhachev was still an option but finding him a replacement could have been a difficult task. One man did step up, however: Bobby Green.

Bobby Green claims to be lightweight 'BMF' after accepting Makhachev fight on short notice - MMAmania.com — Bobby Green, Image Credit: Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Makhachev is one of the most dangerous men in the lightweight division. He has been rising up the rankings for a while now and with nine wins in a row, he is a problem in the division.

Dan Hooker was the last man to lose to Makhachev and is shedding some insight on why no other ranked opponent stepped in on short notice against Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé. (h/t Sportskeeda)

“You can draw down the list of fighters that don’t really have a fight right now. I guarantee you that every single one of them was asked if they wanted to fight Islam and there’s a reason Bobby Green took the fight because none of these other guys stepped up to the plate,” Hooker told The AllStar. “To take on a guy like Islam on one or two weeks notice is a pretty tough call and [Dustin] Poirier and [Michael] Chandler and Tony Ferguson wouldn’t even be expected to make that kind of jump or sacrifice just because the risk is not worth the reward for a guy with a name like… The reward is not there for a fighter like Dustin Poirier to take on Islam on a weeks’, or two weeks’ notice. It just doesn’t make any sense for him.”

Makhachev is currently ranked fourth in the division and has been discussed as a possible title contender with a win over Dariush. Now that he is facing Green instead, the title contention discussion might not still be there.

Green is coming off two impressive wins, but he is not ranked. Makhachev has been calling for top ten opponents for a while now, and Dariush was the answer. Now, he might have to face another top-five opponent before receiving that title shot he has been searching for.

Do you think Islam Makhachev is the best fighter in the top five at lightweight?

Continue Reading Hooker Explains Why Fighters Didn’t Face Islam On Short Notice Like Him at MMA News.

Bobby Green Claims BMF Status After Dariush Fill-In Vs. Makhachev

UFC lightweight contender Bobby Green knows taking a short-notice fight against Islam Makhachev is risky, but he’s ready for the challenge. Green was just days removed from his win over Nasrat Harparast at UFC 271 when he got the call to fill in against Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49. This was after Beneil Dariush had…

Continue Reading Bobby Green Claims BMF Status After Dariush Fill-In Vs. Makhachev at MMA News.

UFC lightweight contender Bobby Green knows taking a short-notice fight against Islam Makhachev is risky, but he’s ready for the challenge.

Green was just days removed from his win over Nasrat Harparast at UFC 271 when he got the call to fill in against Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49. This was after Beneil Dariush had to withdraw from the Feb. 26 headliner due to an injury in camp.

Welterweight star Jorge Masvidal won the promotion’s first, and likely only, BMF title over Nate Diaz at UFC 244. Green thinks his name should be included in the discussion for the hypothetical BMF champion of the 155-pound division.

In a recent Instagram post, Green hinted that he deserves to be considered the BMF champion of the lightweight division after taking a tough fight against Makhachev in a quick turnaround.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bobby King Green (@bobbykinggreen)

“If they had one for the lightweight division,” Green said in the caption.

Green has won two in a row after back-to-back losses to Rafael Fiziev and Thiago Moises. He got back on track with a gruesome knockout over Al Iaquinta at UFC 268 before earning an impressive win over Haqparast.

Green will face a tough challenge in Makhachev, who is arguably a tough matchup for most lightweights even with a full camp. Makhachev has won nine in a row including most recently over Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Many have commended Green for taking the short-notice bout against Makhachev, but some doubt he has what it takes to stop Makhachev’s streak. However, if he’s able to pull off the upset, there won’t be many critics who will doubt his rhetorical BMF lightweight status.

What is your prediction for Bobby Green vs. Islam Makhachev?

Continue Reading Bobby Green Claims BMF Status After Dariush Fill-In Vs. Makhachev at MMA News.

Michael Bisping Claims ‘There’s A Good Chance’ Bobby Green Hands Islam Makhachev Upset Loss

Former UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping has touted short-notice replacement, Bobby Green’s striking expertise as a catalyst for a potential upset win over the streaking Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49 next weekend. Veteran lightweight staple, Green enters his first headliner under the promotion’s banner on just 10-days notice at UFC Vegas 49, replacing Beneil […]

Veteran lightweight staple, Green enters his first headliner under the promotion’s banner on just 10-days notice at UFC Vegas 49, replacing Beneil Dariush, who suffered a fractured fibula, in a 160lbs catchweight clash with Makhachev.

It’s an incredibly quick turnaround for Green who himself turned in a hugely impressive unanimous decision victory over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 271 just weeks ago. And Bisping, who called the action in Green’s victory, has claimed that it would be foolish to count the Californian out against Makhachev due to his perceived striking advantage.

“For Bobby Green to step up – what an opportunity, and by the way, let’s be honest, Bobby can win this fight,” Michael Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “On the feet, Bobby is way better, simple as that. Islam (Makhachev) can strike, of course, he’s not a one-trick pony, he’s not just a wrestler, right? But he’s nowhere near as fast as Bobby Green. He’s nowhere near as slick. He hasn’t got the footwork either. Now, when it comes to wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, I’ll give Islam the edge there.”

“He’s better, he’s better in that regard, but you gotta get him down,” Michael Bisping continued. “One thing we know about Bobby Green is the sprawl, he has a beautiful sprawl and really good takedowns, I doubt he will use it in the fight, it wouldn’t be smart to takedown Islam. Bobby needs to stay on the feet and put Islam on the back foot… Islam is great, we are all high on Isla, call me crazy, but I think there’s a good chance that Bobby Green might pull this off. There is also a very good chance Islam Makhachev takes him down and mauls him, but it won’t be that simple.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Before his judging win over Haqparast, Green stopped fellow veteran and division staple, Al Iaquinta – snapping a two-fight losing run.

For Makhachev, the #4 ranked contender is currently riding a stunning nine-fight winning spree, most recently defeating Dan Hooker with a rather one-sided kimura in the opening round of their UFC 267 main card clash.

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