Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green face off on Saturday in a catchweight showdown for the main event at UFC Fight Night 202 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Islam Makhachev comes into this fight with a 21-1 record overall and he has won nine games in a row. Makhachev’s last fight came in October of 2021 against Dan Hooker, and it was midway through the first round he locked in a submission and finished the fight. Each of his last three wins has come by submissions, and there is no doubt that he will try to finish this fight that way. Makhachev is averaging 2.21 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 0.79 significant strikes per minute. Makhachev wants to get the fight to the ground, and he is averaging 3.37 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 66 percent of his takedown attempts. He also stops 88 percent of his takedown attempts. Makhachev wants to finish the fight by submission and he is averaging 1.3 submission attempts every 15 minutes.
On the other side of this matchup is Bobby “King” Green who currently sits with a 29-12-1 record overall and he has won two fights in a row. Green’s last fight came against Nasrat Haqparast on February 12th, and he won that fight by unanimous decision. Green outstruck his opponent 188-76 on the way to the victory. This is a short notice fight, and he did take some damage in that fight and that has to be a concern. Green is averaging 5.93 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.65 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 1.36 takedowns every 15 minutes but he is only successful on 38 percent of his takedown attempts. Green does stop 72 percent of his takedown attempts.
Green might get out to a fast start in this start, but this is such a quick turnaround, and Makhachev is going to get the fight to the ground. Makhachev is going to wear down Green, and that is going to be the difference as Makhachev gets the job done. Back Makhachev to win this fight by submission.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
