Makhachev pounds out Green early in UFC main event
A late change in opponents didn't stop a surging UFC lightweight contender from taking care of business Saturday night.
Islam Makhachev defeated Bobby Green via TKO at the 3:23 mark of the first round in a 160-pound catchweight bout, which headlined UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV IN ROUND 1!! ๐ #UFCVegas49 pic.twitter.com/DxptH2I8sh
โ UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 27, 2022
Green agreed to the match on less than two weeks' notice after competing on Feb. 12. Makhachev's original opponent was Beneil Dariush, who withdrew due to an injury.
"I just want a title fight," Makhachev said in his postfight interview.
After a brief feeling-out process on the feet, the Russian attempted to take the fight to the ground. Makhachev, the protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is one of the UFC's best wrestlers. He got on top of Green two minutes into the bout and quickly established a dominant position.
Makhachev peppered Green with punches, took his back, and flattened him out. Green managed to improve his position for a moment, but Makhachev took his back again and rained down ground-and-pound until referee Herb Dean waved off the contest.
The 30-year-old extended his winning streak to 10 with the dominant victory over Green. His only professional loss came in his second UFC bout in 2015, and he's ranked No. 4 in the lightweight division.
Makhachev's original matchup against Dariush, the third-ranked lightweight, was widely considered a No. 1 contender bout, with Charles Oliveira set to defend the title versus Justin Gaethje in May. It's still possible Makhachev will face the winner, but the promotion has not confirmed its plans for the division.
Green was riding a two-fight winning streak heading into his first UFC main event. He defeated Nasrat Haqparast by unanimous decision at UFC 271 two weeks ago.
"King" has had an up-and-down tenure since joining the promotion in 2013, but he's found more success in recent years, going 3-1 in 2020 and 1-1 in 2021.