Bobby Green Explains Why Tony Ferguson Fight At Salt Lake City-Held UFC 291 Will Be 'Symbolic'

While we’re just hours away from the crowning of a new BMF champion and the emergence of a number one contender for the vacant light heavyweight title, tonight’s UFC 291 pay-per-view boasts depth beyond just the two headlining bouts.

The card, set to go down inside the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, also includes the return of one of the most recognizable names in the sport across the past decade — former TUF winner and ex-interim 155-pound titleholder Tony Ferguson.

In his pursuit of a long-awaited end to a difficult run of form, “El Cucuy” will share the Octagon today with another divisional veteran in the form of Bobby Green, an Strikeforce standout who has competed 21 times under the UFC banner since his debut in 2013.

As well as a notable success over a prominent name, Saturday’s event will also present “King” the opportunity to end a winless streak of his own and deliver entertainment that fans have come to associate with the all-action Californian.

But beyond that, Green’s collision with Ferguson marks something more special.

Green: UFC 291 An Homage To Strikeforce ‘Coming Out Party’ During Days In Salt Lake City 

During UFC 291 media day earlier this week, attention turned to the event’s host city owing to talk of the high altitude. After being asked about that, Green acknowledged his history in Utah, recalling his time training in Salt Lake City towards the start of his career.

Having made a name for himself in the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion with the backing of a gym in “The Crossroads of the West,” Green is looking to “give back” to the city when he makes the walk inside the Delta Center.

“To be honest, I used to train out here in Salt Lake when I was in Strikeforce,” Green said. “I felt like Strikeforce was my coming out party. So, this is symbolic for me. Salt Lake means the world to me in terms of giving back. There was a lot of guys that came along the way that helped me.

My coach, Jeremy Horn, he has his own training center out here. Jeremy gave me so much. He’ll be there at the fights. I’m gonna try to honor him and stuff,” Green continued. “It’s just a way to give back and say, ‘Hey, thank you for taking care of this little black kid.’ He told me so many different things that I don’t forget to this day… (UFC 291 fight is) a gift to Salt Lake and Utah.”

With that in mind, Green will be hoping to put on an enthralling and impressive display in front of the Salt Lake City residents and his former coach.

In addition to representing his first victory in four fights, a triumph tonight would evidently mean a lot more than just an addition to his record’s win column.

Lightweights coming to lay it down 👊@TonyFergusonXT faces @BobbyKGreen on our #UFC291 main card!

[ Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/aahJK2CsRA ] pic.twitter.com/ADrC2TEuws

— UFC (@ufc) July 28, 2023

Read Also: Bobby Green Details Plan To ‘Live In The Moment’ Rather Than Strategize For Tony Ferguson Fight At UFC 291

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