HOUSTON – Nasrat Haqparast’s key to victory against Bobby Green is to stay composed.
Looking to get back in the win column, Haqparast (13-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) meets Green in Saturday’s UFC 271 pay-per-view main card opener at Toyota Center.
Green (28-12-1 MMA, 9-7-1 UFC) has looked good in both his recent wins and losses, including a first-round TKO of Al Iaquinta at UFC 268. But Haqparast isn’t too threatened by what he has to offer and will ensure that he doesn’t get lured into a firefight.
“Actually I saw a lot of holes,” Haqparast said at Wednesday’s media day. “I’m very used to guys like this. I fought kind of a similar guy, Marc Diakiese. In my opinion, much more explosive and much more skillful guy, so the game plan of course is we’re gonna hunt Bobby Green for 15 minutes, don’t let him breathe, and of course be aware, be disciplined, not fall into his chaotic game. He likes to brawl and make it chaotic, ugly, swing. And we’re gonna stay disciplined and execute 15 minutes of a very well prepared game plan.”
Although he’s got nine knockout wins, Haqparast says he won’t be gunning for the finish unless it’s there.
“He risked it the last couple of fights, and I think he is getting hit a lot,” Haqparast said. “I’m not chasing the knockout. If I get it, I get it, but I’m gonna stay very disciplined. I learned a lot through my eight UFC fights. I gained a lot of experience, so I’m not in that state (where) I need to go in, one-minute knockout, hit him with everything and gas out. Fifteen minutes, I’m gonna stay disciplined. If I knock him out, I knock him out. If not, 15 minutes of domination.”
To see the full interview with Haqparast, check out the video above.