Rampage Jackson: King Green Saved by UFC 332 Stoppage
Rampage Jackson says King Green may have been saved from himself in his TKO loss to Esteban Ribovics at UFC 332.
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Quinton "Rampage" Jackson believes King Green may have been saved from himself in his first-round TKO loss to Esteban Ribovics at UFC 332, suggesting the stoppage protected a fighter who always chooses to stand and trade over his own safety.
Green entered the Salt Lake City main card on a three-fight winning streak and carried bad blood into the matchup after his team confronted Ribovics over a missed weight mark. Ribovics settled the issue inside the cage, dropping Green multiple times before referee Herb Dean waved it off in round one. The result dropped Green to 36-18-1 and snapped his run of momentum in the lightweight division.
Green has since said he wished Dean had given him more time to recover, but Jackson, who made a rare appearance in Green's corner for the fight, sees the quick stoppage differently.
Why Rampage Jackson Says the Stoppage Protected King Green
Jackson's read is simple: Green's willingness to keep fighting through trouble is exactly what put him in danger. "You put on a show before you worry about your own safety," Jackson said. "We don't think about the wear and tear that we have on our body. That's what they be thinking about. Like, my brother, I wanted to see you win but that might have been a bad decision. What we don't think about in fighting is that s, t adds up."
Jackson doesn't typically work corners, and he said saying yes to Green wasn't really a choice given their relationship. "I don't really corner," Jackson said. "Bobby asked me to corner him and all that stuff, I was like, 'Ah, I don't wanna do all that stuff.' But, he's such a good guy, I didn't want to say no."
Watching the fight get stopped on his friend still stung, even if Jackson understands the business. "Bobby's an entertainer, he's going to bring it no matter what," Jackson continued. "It's just, for me, he's my boy, he's like my brother. It just sucks seeing one of your boys get beat but it happens. It's part of the job."
What's Next for King Green
Green will have time to reassess before stepping back in the cage. His next appearance likely won't come until 2027, giving him an extended window to recover and make adjustments after a stoppage loss. He's been through setbacks before and has a track record of bouncing back, but a long layoff after a brutal knockout loss always raises questions about how a veteran lightweight looks on the other side of it.
For bettors, the loss resets how markets will treat Green the next time he's booked. A fighter coming off a first-round TKO and an extended layoff typically opens as a live underdog regardless of opponent, and Green's style, standing and trading rather than protecting himself early, means volatility bettors should expect going forward. Anyone backing him in his return will want to see how he looks in camp before trusting him as a favorite again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rampage Jackson say about King Green's loss at UFC 332?
Rampage Jackson said King Green may have been saved from himself when referee Herb Dean stopped his fight against Esteban Ribovics, arguing Green's willingness to keep fighting through danger put him at risk.
What happened between King Green and Esteban Ribovics at UFC 332?
Esteban Ribovics dropped King Green multiple times before referee Herb Dean stopped the lightweight bout in the first round at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City.
What is King Green's record after UFC 332?
King Green fell to 36-18-1 after his first-round TKO loss to Esteban Ribovics at UFC 332, ending his three-fight winning streak.
