With Michel Prazeres carrying a few extra pounds, his fight with Desmond Green at UFC Belem went as expected, winning with takedowns.
Weight has been the topic of this UFC Belem main card fight, with Michel Prazeres missing the mark. Green took the fight despite Prazeres weighing more than the agreed upon 172-pounds on fight night, with Prazeres weighing over 180 entering the Octagon.
Desmond Green is a former Titan FC featherweight champion who is now a permanent lightweight. The New Yorker defeated now top-five contender Josh Emmett in his UFC debut via split decision. “The Predator” will look to bounce back from a loss to tough Russian grappler Rustam Khabilov.
Michel Prazeres is a dominant grappler but has had issues making weight, missing the mark in three of his last four fights (including this one). Prazeres is on a five-fight win streak, winning his last two by north-south choke.
Prazeres and Green traded takedowns to start the bout but Prazeres used Green’s takedown to reverse to top position. Green was able to escape and push Prazeres against the fence. Prazeres scored the next takedown after they returned to the center of the Octagon, but was stood up by the referee after landing punches to the back of the head. Green landed a takedown in the final ten seconds to end the round.
Green ate a hook to start the second round but landed a takedown in response. Prazeres kicked Green off of him shortly after and returned to the feet. Green got him to the fence again, but this time, Prazeres spun off and landed a takedown. Prazeres was able to get to mount, and looked for an arm-triangle but Green defended nicely and returned to his feet. Prazeres stayed on him and dove for a guillotine. Green escaped, but Prazeres was still in top position. He moved to north-south and looked for another finish from the position, but Green survived and the bell rang shortly after.
Nothing much happened to start the final round with only a leg kick from Prazeres in the opening minute. After each man fails a takedown attempt, Prazeres takes down his visibly tired opponent. Prazeres gets his back in the midst of a transition as Green grabs the leg of Prazeres for a takedown. Prazeres pins his opponent there and rides out the round.
Michel Prazeres def. Desmond Green by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
