Saturday’s UFC Vegas 71, which saw the promotion return to the UFC Apex for the first time in six weeks (a development met with groans from fight fans globally), might have lacked star power — but Bobby Green vs. Jared Gordon was a fight many had circled on their calendars.
Green led the dance early in what might be seen as the “People’s Main Event” of UFC Vegas 71, getting his punches off first. Gordon circled on the outside, but was certainly game — when Green briefly caught a kick halfway through the opening frame, Gordon dove back, rolling out of harm’s way.
Bobby Green (soon to be “King” legally, if you take the lightweight at face value) had his hands low, and was clearly feeling himself. Gordon would get his own shots in, catching Green on the jaw, with Bobby shaking his head, downplaying the blow.
What you could not downplay was the accidental clash of heads that set up the finish. As Bobby Green was closing the distance, looking to land an elbow, he crashed into Gordon head first. The headbutt set Gordon down, and Green piled on with ground n’ pound until the ref waved it off.
Gordon was clearly dazed; the pair knelt opposite each other, paying their respects.
It appeared Green had the TKO finish, with ring announcer Joe Martinez making the move to announce the result. Mid-sentence, he was then pulled back as officials reviewed the finishing sequence. Upon review, the call was made to rule the fight a No Contest, as the headbutt was instrumental in Gordon being finished in the fight.
While the correct decision was ultimately rendered, that was likely little consolation to Bobby Green, who for a moment appeared to have a TKO victory.
Official Result: Bobby Green vs. Jared Gordon ends in No Contest, Round 1, 4:35
