With Beneil Dariush pulling out of his UFC Vegas 49 fight against Islam Makhachev due to an injury, the UFC was in scramble mode to find a replacement to face one of the top lightweights in the world: Islam Makhachev. While a number of top ten fighters reportedly turned down the match-up, Bobby Green took to social media to let the world know he was ready to step in just a few weeks after his decision victory against Nasrat Haqparast.
The moment that Bobby Green signed on to accept the fight with Islam Makhachev, the narrative shifted. A number one contender’s bout suddenly became an underdog story, as Green had the chance to upset the huge favourite in Makhachev. In reality, Bobby Green had the opportunity to turn the entire lightweight division upside down with a win against the Dagestani.
Islam Makhachev of course had been on a tear over the last few years, and to him it didn’t seem to matter whether he was facing Beneil Dariush or Bobby Green. Victory was the only thing on his mind, that and locking up a title shot. Being on a nine-fight win streak, Islam had high hopes that a tenth victory within the UFC would be the charm to confirm a date with whoever had the title after the Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje fight at UFC 274.
There was no upset happening at UFC Vegas 49, as Islam Makhachev proved once again why he is a top contender for the UFC lightweight title. Once the fight got to the ground, Islam Makhachev made the ground-and-pound victory look easy. A dominant performance from Makhachev, making it ten victories in a row.
PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE
Here is how the pros reacted to the UFC Vegas 49 main event and Islam Makhachev coming away victorious.
Congratulations @MAKHACHEVMMA #UFCVegas49
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) February 27, 2022
@MAKHACHEVMMA is ready to be the champion!!!! Great job buddy #weareaka pic.twitter.com/GI02DqxGFx
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 27, 2022
Praise for Islam Makhachev
Islam is the best guy I ever rolled with and that’s including Adcc and Bjj world champions
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) February 27, 2022
Islam 🙌🏽 #UFCVegas49
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) February 27, 2022
S A V A G E . #UFCVegas49 @ufc
— BriannaTheBull (@briannathebull) February 27, 2022
It’s weird to say that I still want to see Islam fight Dariush. 10 fights in a row is hard deny but damn man, I just wanna see Islam fight Top 5 before a title shot. Am I wrong for being so heavy in the merit system? He is the truth I just want to see top level vs top level first
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 27, 2022
Early?
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) February 27, 2022
The battle for coach of the year continues 😂 @TeamKhabib pic.twitter.com/BjSTRtqrbU
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 27, 2022
Something Else!
Like a hot knife through butter ! That kid is something else 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾 #UFCVegas49
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) February 27, 2022
