Bobby “King” Green believes Herb Dean pulled him out too soon at UFC 332.
Esteban Ribovics dropped Green three times in the first round on Saturday in Salt Lake City. Dean stepped in after the third knockdown, at 4:08 of the opening round.
Green reacted on Instagram.
Wow oh wow, sheesh. Great fight, s—- happens. I told myself regardless or not, I’m not going to be mad at myself but I’m a little mad.
He said he warned Dean the fight could get messy.
I told Herb, this is going to get sticky. Let me go out on my shield. I was still fine. I wanted to keep fighting. I feel like we were getting somewhere. It was a great fight.
Green was never unconscious, but he was in serious trouble when Dean waved it off.
Dana White addressed the stoppage at the post-fight press conference. He admitted the veteran referee has had a tough stretch but defended the call.
Herb’s having a rough f—-ing year.
He got dropped like three times in a row. So, I’ve seen worse stoppages.
The loss snaps a four-fight win streak for the 40-year-old lightweight. Before the event, White agreed that Green would deserve a BMF title shot with a win. That opportunity now looks further away.
The buildup was heated. Ribovics missed weight by 0.5 pounds, and the bout went ahead at a catchweight. Ribovics forfeited 20% of his purse to Green. Green’s team also confronted Ribovics’ team after weigh-ins, though the two sides were separated before it turned physical.
Green still drew one of the loudest reactions of the night from the Utah crowd.
