UFC lightweight veterans King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens will go to war this weekend (Sat., May 9, 2026) inside Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., for UFC 328.

How often do you look at a modern UFC main card and wonder to yourself, "Wait, who is that guy again?" This is not that fight. Both Green and Stephens have been around forever and are well-known figures at 155 pounds. They have fought everybody, racked up quality wins and devastating losses, and are still here on the other side of it all.

Green has been more consistent and beaten better opposition as of late, but "Lil Heathen" has held his own in BKFC's ring ahead of his second UFC return. More than anything else, both veterans can be trusted to scrap.

How Green Wins

Green has still got it. In the last five years, Green has only lost to future, former or currently ranked lightweights. Even as he has lost a slight step in durability and speed, which feels like it should be a death knell given his fighting style, Green has remained a very tough out who can make skilled opposition look amateurish.

In this bout, as with most others, speed and range management are Green's advantages and keys to victory alike. Green is confident in his shoulder rolling defense, but he still does not want to stand right in front of Stephens and trade right hands. Fortunately, Stephens is exactly the kind of fighter who can be baited into swinging at Green, which is usually how Green finds the mark with snappy jabs and hard counter shots.

Green would be wise to work in the occasional takedown attempt as well. Stephens spent most of the last three years bare knuckle boxing, so Green ought to exploit that weakness and tire him out a bit. The threat of the takedown will keep Stephens honest if nothing else, giving Green more feint options and making it easier to establish the jab.

How Stephens Wins

Stephens has been a brawler for more than 20 years now. During his rise up the featherweight ranks, Stephens refined his kicking attack and really rounded his game, but in his heart, he is still a man who would prefer to swing for the fences each and every time. In this matchup, it might be his kicking prowess that saves him.

Stephens is going to have a difficult time boxing with Green. He is not as quick, nor does he have the layered defense of his opponent or the spearing jab. In a gloved boxing match, there is a very clear favorite.

Fortunately, Stephens' low kicks could go a long way in disrupting Green's jab, shoulder roll, and pull counters. The important part is setting up the kick, as Green is quite accustomed to withdrawing his leg away from naked calf kicks. If Stephens can press forward and kick when Green is moving his head or pivoting, he will find better success in taking away Green's mobility. That is how the haymaker lands in the long run.

Potential Outcomes

This feels like a tough matchup for Stephens, who most likely will end up walking into lots of stiff jabs. Kicking Green's leg is an obvious solution, as seen in the Paddy Pimblett fight, but that does not mean it will be easy, especially since Stephens is not working with any kind of range advantage like "The Baddy."

Stephens will do his best to make the upset happen by walking forward through fire and going for the kill. But Green loves that kind of fight. He is never better than when he can touch his foe with a jab, pull just out of reach from the return fire, and then come back with hard counters.

If Green fights at range, uses his speed, and jabs Stephens up from the outside, he should cruise to a decision win. If Stephens can get inside, land damaging low kicks, and find his right hand, he has the power to change the fight at any moment.

We just saw Green torch a young, aggressive kickboxer in Daniel Zellhuber, so he should be able to do the same against an older, more limited Stephens.

Play UFC Fantasy for UFC 328

The Green vs. Stephens lightweight fight is a perfect matchup for UFC Fantasy, our free to play game where you can win cash prizes.

Here is how it works:

Sign up for free. Create or join a group with your friends. Pick your fighters for the UFC 328 main card. Earn points based on finishes, bonuses, and fight stats. Win real cash prizes.

Will Green's speed and jab prove too much for the veteran brawler? Or will Stephens land the haymaker and pull off the upset as a +240 underdog? Your UFC Fantasy picks could earn you cash either way.

Playing against friends makes every punch, takedown, and submission matter. Create your group today for UFC 328 on May 9.