UFC 271: Nasrat Haqparast vs Bobby Green Picks, Predictions, Odds

Bobby Green and Nasrat Haqparast fight Saturday in UFC 271 at the Toyota Center. Green enters this fight with a 28-12-1 record and has won 36 percent of his fights by decision. Haqparast enters this fight with a 13-4 record and has won 69 percent of his fights by knockout.

Green has won four of his last six fights and is coming off a November win over Al Iaquinta. Green is averaging 5.51 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 51 percent. Green is averaging 1.45 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 39 percent. Green is coming off a first round knockout victory at UFC 268 where he landed 29 total strikes and 70 percent of his significant strikes. Green earned performance of the night honors, and he now has 10 knockout wins under his belt. Green comes from a wrestling and boxing background, and he has a blue belt in BJJ. Green seems more polished as a striker, as he’s heavy-handed, has good ground and pound and closes the distance well. Green also has eight career submission victories, as he has decent scrambling skills, and three of those victories have come by guillotine choke. Green has also shown great cardio and has seen 18 of his bouts go the distance. This will be Green’s third career fight in Texas.

Haqparast has won five of his last seven fights and is coming off a September loss to Dan Hooker. Haqparast is averaging 5.19 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 46 percent. Haqparast is averaging 0.16 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 14 percent. Haqparast is coming off a decision loss at UFC 266 where he landed 35 total strikes and ate 177 total strikes. It was a one-sided contest, and Haqparast now hopes to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time in his career. Haqparast is 5-3 under the UFC banner. Haqparast is a quality striker with clear knockout power and nine stoppages under his belt. Haqparast is a southpaw who has shown great defense on the feet and has a 78 percent takedown defensive percentage as well. Haqparast does not have a submission victory and has won four of his six career decisions. This will be Haqparast’s first career fight in Texas.

While we know what Haqparast is capable of, it’s hard to get his last performance out of your mind. It was ugly. Green has looked great in his last two bouts, and he’s the more balanced fighter here, with an edge in terms of striking accuracy. Green is also the more durable fighter of the two and should be able to control the pace of the fight.

We’re not being asked to lay much juice. Give me Green.