Green’s dramatic first-round finish
King Green achieved a significant comeback victory with a first-round knockout against Terrance McKinney during the UFC 329 main card. The event took place on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Green, who is approaching his 40th birthday, managed to wear down McKinney before delivering a series of right hands that ultimately forced McKinney to turn away, leading to the finish.
The fight saw Green endure considerable damage early on, including being cut and absorbing body shots. He nearly fell victim to McKinney’s takedown, mount, and ground-and-pound efforts midway through the round. Despite being bloodied and seemingly on the verge of defeat, Green continued to engage in trash talk with McKinney during the fight, calling him a “one-minute b****” even while trailing for much of the round.
Green’s resilience was evident as he escaped a submission attempt from McKinney and brought the fight back to a standing position. He then targeted McKinney’s body with strikes, followed by repeated right hands to the head, securing the TKO victory just one second before the round concluded. Green later commented on the fight, stating, “I felt him slowing down, so it was only a matter of time before I caught up to him.”
Veteran’s career resurgence continues
This victory marks King Green’s fourth consecutive win, extending an improbable late-career surge. His recent triumphs include victories over Lance Gibson, Daniel Zellhuber, and Jeremy Stephens. With 54 fights on his record, Green continues to compete frequently at the sport’s highest level, a testament to his sustained drive and focus. He is set to turn 40 in September and has expressed a desire to fight on the UFC 331 card in Los Angeles in September.
Green’s mission extends beyond his personal career, as he aims to uplift others and contribute to his community, both in California’s Inland Empire and among fellow UFC athletes. He sees his role as sharing knowledge and spreading wealth, emphasizing, “It’s just being there for my people; that’s always been my intention.”
The matchup with Terrance McKinney was anticipated to be explosive, pitting Green, known for his showmanship, against McKinney, who has a history of ending fights early. McKinney has never gone to the scorecards in his 26-fight career, with 11 of his 13 UFC appearances concluding in the opening round. His 18 career wins are evenly split between knockouts and submissions, highlighting his aggressive approach.
Pre-fight tensions and future aspirations
Leading up to the fight, there were reported tensions between King Green and Terrance McKinney. Green expressed frustration, noting that he had previously offered advice and support to McKinney when he first joined the UFC. Green recounted a conversation where McKinney informed him that the UFC wanted them to fight, leading Green to question their friendship and McKinney’s motives.
Green felt that McKinney was attempting to take his position as a prominent Black fighter in the sport, stating, “You don’t know how hard I worked to get here. You still got a whole bunch of time; you’ve only been here like three years. I’ve been here 14.” He conveyed a sense of betrayal, believing McKinney was playing with him and potentially viewing him as an easy opponent.
Despite these personal frustrations, Green maintained his focus on the fight, trusting his skills and experience. He emphasized the importance of setting traps and being ready, asserting, “Skills pay the bills, baby; skills pay the bills.” Green’s victory at UFC 329 further solidifies his position and demonstrates his ongoing commitment to his career and community.
Other notable results from the UFC 329 event included Robert Whittaker’s win over Nikita Krylov, Gable Steveson’s first-round knockout in his UFC debut, and Adrian Yanez’s finish of Cody Garbrandt.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.