Bobby Green Rips Khamzat Chimaev and Islam Makhachev Title Fights: “They’re Not Making Art”
Bobby Green has never been the type of fighter to hide his opinion, and his latest comments about Khamzat Chimaev and Islam Makhachev are already creating debate across the MMA world.
Speaking on Dominick Cruz’s “Love & War” show, Green said he did not enjoy watching the title fights involving Chimaev and Makhachev, taking aim at what he sees as a style focused more on control than entertainment. MMA Fighting reported that Green called their recent title-fight performances among the “most horrible title fights” he has seen.
Green’s issue is not simply with wrestling or grappling. As a veteran with more than 50 professional fights, he understands that mixed martial arts includes every phase of combat. His argument is more about presentation. To Green, elite fighters should not only win — they should create something fans remember.
“I get into it a lot with the Russian guys,” Green said, explaining that he views some fighters as pure competitors rather than artists. His point is that a technically dominant performance can still feel flat if it lacks drama, risk, or a push toward a finish.
That is where the debate gets interesting.
Islam Makhachev’s recent championship success has been built on control, pressure, and elite fight IQ. At UFC 322, he dominated Jack Della Maddalena over five rounds to become the 11th two-division champion in UFC history, according to UFC’s official scorecard coverage.
Khamzat Chimaev has also built his reputation on overwhelming physical pressure. However, at UFC 328, Sean Strickland defeated Chimaev by split decision to reclaim the middleweight title, handing Chimaev the first loss of his professional career.
For some fans, performances like these represent the highest level of MMA: control, discipline, and neutralizing danger. For others, including Green, that style can feel less like must-watch entertainment and more like a strategic shutdown.
Green’s comments also carry extra history because he has shared the cage with Makhachev. In February 2022, Makhachev defeated Green by first-round TKO at UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green. That result gives Green’s criticism another layer, because he knows firsthand how suffocating Makhachev’s game can be.
Still, Green’s opinion is not just personal frustration. It reflects a larger conversation in modern MMA: should fighters be judged only by winning, or should entertainment value matter too?
Championship-level fighters are often rewarded for minimizing risk. A five-round title fight is not the same as a fan-friendly three-round brawl. The stakes are higher, the opponents are better, and one mistake can cost a belt. From that view, fighters like Makhachev and Chimaev are simply doing what elite competitors are supposed to do.
But Green sees the sport differently. His brand has always been built on rhythm, personality, slick boxing, and crowd engagement. He values action and style, not just control time or scorecards.
That is why his criticism hits a nerve. He is not saying grappling does not belong in MMA. He is saying that dominance without danger can leave fans cold.
Whether fans agree with him or not, Green has opened up a real debate. Makhachev and Chimaev are two of the most skilled fighters of their generation, but their styles are not always designed to please everyone. Some fans see mastery. Others see a lack of entertainment.
In the end, Green’s comments show the divide between winning fights and creating moments. In MMA, the best fighters often do both. But when a title fight becomes more about control than chaos, fighters like Bobby Green are always going to speak up.
