King Green sends clear message to Esteban Ribovics before UFC 332 with surprising promise about their lig - The Times of India

King Green has made one thing clear before his UFC 332 lightweight fight against Esteban Ribovics: he plans to give fans a real fight. Green said he could use his wrestling against Ribovics, but does not want to turn the bout into a slow grappling battle. The 40 year old is coming off a first round TKO win over Terrance McKinney and now wants another strong performance in Salt Lake City.King Green promises action against Esteban Ribovics at UFC 332Ribovics enters the fight after a second round TKO win over Edson Barboza at UFC 330 in August. Green, meanwhile, stopped Terrance McKinney in July, continuing a strong run in 2026. The UFC lists Green at 36-17-1, while Ribovics is 16-3. Their lightweight fight is scheduled for October 3 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.During a pre fight media session, Green was asked about Ribovics’ grappling and whether he could deal with that part of his opponent’s game. His answer was simple. He said he could take Ribovics down, but that was not what he wanted the fight to become.“No, no, no. Trust me, when you get to seeing what I do, it’s a little bit different. I could take him down easily, and we could have a hug fest. But I’m a fighter, and I came to fight. So you have a 100% guarantee that we are going to fight,” Green said.That comment fits the way Green has approached his recent fights. The UFC says he has 13 knockout wins, 10 submission wins and 13 first round finishes across his career. His latest win over McKinney also ended inside the first round.Ribovics brings a different challenge. The Argentine lightweight has eight UFC wins and has finished seven opponents in the first round during his career, according to his UFC profile. His latest victory over Barboza came by second round TKO.King Green explains UFC veteran fights before Esteban Ribovics matchupGreen also spoke about why the UFC appears to be matching older fighters with younger names. At 40, he sees the situation mainly as part of the business side of the sport rather than something personal.“I think you know that answer. I think you know. I’m going to just say it, f**k it. It’s out with the old and in with the new. Our paychecks go up, so they have to get the new guys to get us outta there,” Green said.He then explained that new contracts and new stars can affect where veteran fighters fit into the UFC.“It’s just business. We got to cut the pay down. If they get rid of us to make new stars, then why not? I get the business, and I understand it.”For now, Green is focused on Ribovics rather than what comes after the fight. UFC 332 will take place Saturday in Salt Lake City, with Green and Ribovics on the main card. The event is headlined by Natalia Silva against Wang Cong for the vacant women’s flyweight title.Green has also said recently that he sees fighting as a way to put on something different for people. Against Ribovics, he will get another chance to show exactly what he means.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.