UFC expert picks and best bets: Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Green

A highly impactful contest between Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green will headline Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET; prelims at 4 p.m. ET).

The main event was originally supposed to feature Makhachev (21-1) against Beneil Dariush (21-4-1) in a likely No. 1 contender’s bout for the next shot at the UFC lightweight championship, but Dariush was forced to withdraw last week because of a broken fibula. Green (29-12-1) agreed to step in on short notice in a 160-pound catchweight fight.

Makhachev, a teammate and protege of retired undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is ESPN’s No. 5-ranked lightweight. Green is not ranked but is coming off an impressive win against Nasrat Haqparast two weeks ago and would make a huge jump in the division with a victory over Makhachev.

Does Green have what it takes to pull off the upset? Or will Makhachev handle the late opponent change and continue his rise to the top of the division? Veteran MMA coaches John Wood of Syndicate MMA, Sayif Saud of Fortis MMA and Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture MMA break down the matchup for Brett Okamoto and Marc Raimondi from an inside-the-cage perspective, while experts Ian Parker and Reed Kuhn analyze the card from a betting viewpoint.

160-pound catchweight bout: Makhachev vs. Green

John Wood, Syndicate MMA

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