Islam Makhachev will look to move closer to a lightweight title shot when he faces stand-in opponent Bobby Green in a catchweight (160 pounds) main event of a UFC Fight Night, set for the APEX Facility in Las Vegas on the morning of Sunday 27 February 2022.
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Originally Makhachev was set to face Beneil Dariush in an effective contender decider, but the latter withdrew from the match due to injury.
Makhachev (21-1, 3 KO) has put together a nine-fight win streak – most recently submitting Dan Hooker at UFC 267 in October 2021 – and is seen by many as the man who will take up the mantle of lightweight king, following in the footsteps of his mentor and fellow Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov (who retired as an unbeaten champion in the division).
The number four ranked 30-year-old is looking to continue his momentum and seemingly unstoppable rise to the top of MMA.
“I think if I finish my opponent, people have to understand where my levels are, how I’m better than all the fighters from my division,” said Makhachev. “I have to finish this guy because I have to show my skills. I have to show people that I am on a different level.”
Green (29-12, 10 KO), meanwhile, was in action as recently as February 12 when he defeated Nasrat Haqparast with a unanimous decision victory (his second win on the bounce) at UFC 271.
The 35-year-old accepted the fight on short notice because it represents a great opportunity, while MMA expert and former fighter Michael Bisping believes Green could pose real problems for his Russian opponent.
“For Bobby Green to step up, what an opportunity, and by the way, let’s be honest, Bobby can win this fight,” Bisping explained. “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.”
The rest of the main card features Misha Cirkunov taking on Wellington Turman in a middleweight clash for the co-main event; Ji Yeon Kim faces Priscila Cachoeira in the women’s flyweight division; Arman Tsarukyan and Joel Alvarez will battle in the lightweight category; middleweights Armen Petrosyan and Greg Rodrigues will have a showdown in the Octagon; and the opener is a lightweight bout between Zhu Rong and Ignacio Bahamondes.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: GREEN VS. MAKHACHEV – MAIN CARD
- Main event: Lightweight: Bobby Green v Islam Makhachev
- Middleweight: Misha Cirkunov v Wellington Turman
- Women’s flyweight: Ji Yeon Kim v Priscila Cachoeira
- Lightweight: Arman Tsarukyan v Joel Alvarez
- Middleweight: Armen Petrosyan v Greg Rodrigues
- Lightweight: Zhu Rong v Ignacio Bahamondes