​King Green was once down and out, but then he wasn’t. He delivered a remarkable comeback to finish Terrance McKinney with only one second remaining in the opening round at UFC 329. The fight began with McKinney applying early pressure, spending much of the first round on top and unloading a flurry of punches. Green absorbed the punishment and managed to survive, eventually getting back to his feet and answering McKinney’s assault with a burst of offense of his own, including a hard kick to the body. The tide began to turn as Green mounted a sustained rally, and the momentum swung decisively when he landed a punishing body kick that set up a sequence of sharp follow-up strikes. McKinney toppled to the canvas, and Green kept punching until referee Kerry Hatley stepped in to stop the contest at 4:59 of the opening round.
“I was just getting warmed up,” Green said after the fight. “I know he’s tough, and when he’s fresh and comes out swinging, it’s only a matter of time before I catch up to him. I feel great. I want to fight on the LA card in September. I’m going to keep doing this all year long.”
McKinney wasted no time coming out aggressive, clipping Green with an early punch that opened a cut on Green’s head. Green tried to counter with quick kicks, but McKinney stayed relentless, head hunting in search of a knockout. He battered Green with a brutal uppercut and a hard body shot, leaving Green’s face streaked with blood as McKinney pressed forward with heavy, precise punches. A quick takedown put Green on the mat against the cage, where McKinney moved into mount and rained down punches, briefly working for a rear-naked choke. Green managed to escape the bad position as time ticked away in the first round, though the danger remained palpable.
Back on his feet, Green found a rare opening and delivered a devastating body kick, followed by a punch that put McKinney on the canvas. Green continued his assault with a flurry of heavy punches, and just as the opening round was about to close, the referee intervened to protect McKinney from further harm. The signaled stoppage gave Green a dramatic finish and another chapter in his impressive comeback story.
The performance showcased Green’s ability to weather an early onslaught, weather the storm, and convert the moment into a spectacular finish. It marked his fourth consecutive win and added a high-profile victory over McKinney to an ever-growing resume. Green’s triumph at UFC 329 further established him as a rising force in the division and set the stage for a potential October or September appearance on the LA card, with fans and analysts buzzing about what comes next for this surging fighter. The win also underscored Green’s resilience, strategic adjustments, and lethal finishing ability, leaving no doubt about his status as a top contender on the rise.