In an exciting announcement by Dana White, UFC 291 is set to showcase a thrilling match between two veterans of the community.
Former interim champion Tony Ferguson (25-8) is stepping into the Octagon against Bobby Green (29-14-1) in what promises to be an unforgettable lightweight showdown.
Scheduled to take place on July 29th in Salt Lake City, Utah, this event will be headlined by a vacant BMF title match between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. Additionally, the co-main event features Alex Pereira’s move to light heavyweight to face former champion Jan Blachowicz.
Bobby Green recently faced Jared Gordon in a matchup that sparked controversy. In the first round, Green aggressively advanced and aimed for a lead elbow. Unfortunately, the two collided head-on, and caused Gordon to go down.
The referee failed to notice the head clash. Green continued to win the bout but due to the head collision, the outcome was declared a No Contest. Putting the No Contest aside, Green has maintained a record of 2-2 in his last four.
Former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson has been going through a challenging period in his career. Once considered among the best lightweights in the world, Ferguson showcased an incredible unbeaten streak spanning eight years and 12 matches.
However, his impressive run came to an end in May 2020 when Justin Gaethje defeated him. The Gaethje loss marked the beginning of a string of defeats for Ferguson. Currently, he has suffered five consecutive losses.
Ferguson was recently arrested after flipping a car in Los Angeles and then refusing to provide a blood sample.
This will mark a return to lightweight for Ferguson, who has been adamant that he belongs at welterweight because he competed at 170lbs at TUF season 2 (which he won) with a string of finishes.
But it is essential to note the caliber of opponents Ferguson faced during this time, such as Nate Diaz, Michael Chandler, Beneil Dariush, and Charles Oliveira. With both competitors hungry for victory, this matchup holds tremendous significance for their respective careers.