King Green

King Green (born Bobby Ray Green; September 9, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2008, Green is the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion and Junior Welterweight Champion, and in addition he has also competed in Tachi Palace Fights, Strikeforce, and Affliction.

Background

Green was born in San Bernardino, California, and became a foster child when he was five years old, as his father was incarcerated and mother was unable to take care of her children due to a drug addiction. Green began wrestling in his sophomore year at A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, California, placing twice in the state tournament. Green began pursuing a career in professional mixed martial arts while he was also working at a warehouse to help support his son.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Green made his professional mixed martial arts debut in January 2008, and quickly amassed an 8–1 record while fighting on independent events.

Green drew the attention of Affliction Entertainment and fought on their second (and final) card Day of Reckoning. He lost to Dan Lauzon via submission in the first round. Green was docked two points in the first round, in what Sherdog has called one of the dirtiest fights in recent memory.

Following the loss, Green began a successful run in the King of the Cage promotion. On February 25, 2010, Green defeated Ricky Legere via first-round TKO to win the King of the Cage Junior Welterweight Championship at KOTC Arrival at the San Manuel Casino in Highland, California. He eventually defended the title once before losing it to Tim Means. On April 21, Green defeated Dom O'Grady by unanimous decision to win the King of the Cage Lightweight Championship.

Strikeforce

On July 14, 2011, it was announced that Green had signed a four-fight deal with Strikeforce. It was originally announced that Green would debut against Milton Vieira at Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte. However, on July 19, it was announced he would be filling in for Lyle Beerbohm against Gesias Cavalcante at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson. The fight was very back and forth, but Green lost the fight via a narrow split decision.

His next bout came against Charon Spain at Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough. Green won the fight via submission (arm-triangle choke) in the second round but is out indefinitely due to left and right hand injuries.

Green was scheduled to face Isaac Vallie-Flagg at Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers. However, Vallie-Flagg was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by J. P. Reese. He won the fight via submission in the third round.

On May 19, 2012, Green faced James Terry at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier where he won via split decision (28–29, 29–28, 29–28).

Green next faced Matt Ricehouse on August 18, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

2013

Green defeated Jacob Volkmann on February 2, 2013, at UFC 156 via rear-naked choke submission in the third round. After back and forth action in the first two rounds, Green displayed some great grappling, countering Volkmann's attempts and finishing with the choke after some vicious ground and pound, which forced Volkmann to give up his back. The performance earned Green Submission of the Night honors.

Green was expected to face Danny Castillo on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8. However, in mid-July, Green pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Tim Means.

Green faced James Krause on November 6, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 31. The fight ended in unusual fashion as Green had previously kicked Krause in the groin area twice, resulting in a one-point deduction. Green then landed a blow to Krause's belt line, which resulted in Krause falling to the canvas. Referee John McCarthy declared it a legal blow and awarded Green a TKO victory.

Green quickly stepped back into the octagon filling in for the injured Jamie Varner against Pat Healy at UFC on Fox 9. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

2014

Green was expected to face Abel Trujillo on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169. However, Green pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jamie Varner.

Green was expected to face Jim Miller on April 26, 2014, at UFC 172. However, in the week leading up to the event, Green pulled out of the bout citing another injury and was replaced by Yancy Medeiros.

The bout with Trujillo was rescheduled for August 2, 2014, at UFC 176. However, after UFC 176 was cancelled, Green/Trujillo was rescheduled and was expected to take place on August 16, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 47. Subsequently, Green was removed from this fight on July 11 in favor of a matchup with against Josh Thomson as Green replaced Michael Johnson on July 26, 2014, at UFC on Fox 12. Green won the bout via split decision.

A bout with Jorge Masvidal, first scheduled under the Strikeforce banner in 2012 before being scrapped, was expected to take place on September 27, 2014, at UFC 178. However, on August 14, the UFC announced that Green would now face Donald Cerrone at the event. Following the signing and scheduling of former Bellator MMA Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez to face Cerrone at the event, Green was rescheduled to compete at a later, undetermined date.

Green faced Edson Barboza on November 22, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 57. Green lost the fight via unanimous decision.

2015

Green was briefly linked to a bout with Jorge Masvidal on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63. However, shortly after the fight was announced by the UFC, Green pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Benson Henderson

Green was expected to face Al Iaquinta on July 15, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 71. However, Green pulled out of the fight in mid-June citing another injury.

2016

Green next faced Dustin Poirier on June 4, 2016, at UFC 199. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Green was expected to face Josh Burkman on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96. However, Green pulled out of the fight on September 9 citing personal issues and was replaced by promotional newcomer Zak Ottow.

2017

Green faced Rashid Magomedov on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24. He lost the fight by split decision.

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Green faced Lando Vannata on October 7, 2017, at UFC 216. In round one Vannata landed an illegal knee to the head of the grounded Green, which caused referee Herb Dean to deduct Vannata a point. The judges handed down a split draw after three rounds with one judge had it even 28–28, one judge scored it 29–27 to Green, and one judge scored it 29–27 for Vannata. This fight earned him Fight of the Night award.

2018

Green faced Erik Koch on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Green was expected to face Beneil Dariush on March 3, 2018, at UFC 222. However, on February 14, 2018, it was announced that Green was forced to pull out from the event, citing injury.

Green was expected to face Clay Guida on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225. However, Green was forced out of the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Charles Oliveira

Green faced Drakkar Klose on December 15 at UFC on Fox 31 He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Green announced his retirement after he lost the fight.

2019–2020

After his brief hiatus, Green returned to face Francisco Trinaldo on November 16, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 22. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Green faced Clay Guida on June 20, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

A rematch with Lando Vannata took place on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Green faced Alan Patrick, replacing Rodrigo Vargas on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Green faced Thiago Moisés on October 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 181. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. However 11 out of 15 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Green.

2021

Green was expected to face Jim Miller on February 13, 2021, at UFC 258. However the fight was cancelled when Green collapsed after the weigh-ins.

Green faced Rafael Fiziev on August 7, 2021, at UFC 265. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Green faced Al Iaquinta on November 6, 2021, at UFC 268. Green won the fight by TKO in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

2022

Green faced Nasrat Haqparast on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Just two weeks after his last UFC bout, Green stepped up to replace an injured Beneil Dariush against Islam Makhachev on February 26, 2022, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 202. He lost the bout via TKO in the first round.

Green was rebooked to face Jim Miller for the third time on July 2, 2022, at UFC 276. A week before the event, Green was forced to pull out of the bout.

Green received a six-month USADA suspension for 6 months testing positive Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on out of competition drug test on May 16, 2022, and he is eligible to fight again on November 16, 2022.

Green faced Drew Dober on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216. He lost the fight via knockout in round two. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

2023

Green faced Jared Gordon on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222. Green won the fight by knockout in the first round, following an accidental clash of heads that went unnoticed by the referee. Upon review, the ringside officials determined a clash of heads indeed occurred, with the result being changed to a no contest.

Green faced Tony Ferguson at UFC 291 on July 29, 2023. He won the fight via technical submission, rendering Ferguson unconscious with an arm-triangle choke late in the third round. The win also earned Green his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

Green faced Grant Dawson on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229. Green won the fight via knockout in the round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Green was scheduled to face Dan Hooker on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52. However, the week before the event, Hooker withdrew due to injury, and was replaced by Jalin Turner. Green lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

2024

Green faced Jim Miller on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Green faced Paddy Pimblett on July 27, 2024, at UFC 304. He lost the fight by a triangle-choke submission in the first round.

2025

Green faced Mauricio Ruffy on March 8, 2025 at UFC 313. He lost the fight via a spinning wheel kick knockout in the first round.

Green was scheduled to face Carlos Diego Ferreira on August 16, 2025 at UFC 319. However, Green suffered an undisclosed injury and the bout was cancelled.

Green faced Lance Gibson Jr. on December 13, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 73. He won the fight via split decision.

2026

Green faced Daniel Zellhuber on February 28, 2026 at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh. He won the fight by technical knockout at the end of the second round.

Green faced Jeremy Stephens on May 9, 2026 at UFC 328. Due to Stephens weighing in at 160 pounds, 4 pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit, the bout is scheduled to proceed at catchweight and Stephens was fined 30 percent of his purse, which went to Green. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Green is scheduled to face Terrance McKinney on July 11, 2026 at UFC 329.

Personal life

Green has three children. In April 2023, ahead of UFC Vegas 71, he announced he would legally retire the name “Bobby Green” and transition to his longtime nickname by changing his name to “King.” In July 2024, he confirmed the legal name change to “King Green,” sharing a video of his amended birth certificate.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Jacob Volkmann Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Al Iaquinta, Tony Ferguson and Grant Dawson Fight of the Night (Four times) vs. Lando Vannata (two times), Rafael Fiziev and Drew Dober Most significant strikes in UFC Lightweight division history (2007) Fourth most significant strikes landed in UFC history (2081) Tied (Michael Johnson) for third most bouts in UFC Lightweight division history (28) Most total strikes landed in UFC Lightweight division history (2255) Sixth most total fight time in UFC Lightweight division history (4:58:58) Fourth highest striking differential in UFC Lightweight division history (2.89) Second highest significant strike differential in a UFC Lightweight bout (+129) (vs. Jim Miller) Third highest significant strike differential in a UFC Lightweight bout (+112) (vs. Nasrat Haqparast) UFC.com Awards 2013: Ranked #6 Import of the Year 2023: Ranked #3 Upset of the Year vs. Grant Dawson, Ranked #4 Upset of the Year vs. Tony Ferguson
• King of the Cage KOTC Lightweight Championship (One time) KOTC Junior Welterweight Championship (One time) One successful title defense
• Total Fight Alliance TFA Lightweight Championship (One time)
• Warriors Fighting Championship WFC 2008 Lightweight Tournament Winner
• MMAjunkie.com 2017 October Fight of the Month vs. Lando Vannata 2020 August Fight of the Month vs. Lando Vannata

Amateur wrestling

• California Interscholastic Federation CIF All-State (2003, 2004) CIF State Championship Sportsmanship Award (2004)

Mixed martial arts record

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

Notes

External links

• at UFC
• from Sherdog