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Facing a high-risk, low-reward scenario in which merely winning might not have been enough to move him up the ladder, Islam Makhachev delivered beyond all expectations.
In the 160-pound catchweight main event of UFC Fight Night 202 Saturday night at the UFC Apex, the 30-year-old Dagestani blew through Bobby Green in just 3 minutes and 23 seconds. Once the fight began, Green’s collegiate wrestling credentials counted for naught and his slick striking never even came into play, as Makhachev landed a takedown within seconds, then advanced to mount, threatened with rear-naked chokes and finally pummeled his turtled foe with unblocked punches until referee Herb Dean moved in to stop the mauling.