Lando Vannata doesn’t see much change in Bobby Green as they prepare to rematch at UFC on ESPN+ 31. But he doesn’t think his opponent can claim the same.
Vannata (11-4-2 MMA, 3-4-2 UFC) and Green (25-10-1 MMA, 6-5-1 UFC) fought to a split draw at UFC 216 in October 2017. They both believe they won the fight, but can leave no doubt on Saturday’s card, which takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+, when they have a lightweight rematch.
Both men have mixed results since the first encounter, but Vannata said he’s entering the second fight as a different – and better – product. He said he can’t say the same for Green.
“I feel like he’s got a very similar style to the first time we fought,” Vannata told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Thursday at UFC on ESPN+ 31 virtual media day. “There’s some things he does differently, a few layers to this game. But I think all in all he’s more or less the same. I think I’ve changed styles since then. If you go back and watch my fights, even fight I fight a little bit differently depending on who the opponent is.”
In the immediate fallout of their first encounter, Vannata and Green both made arguments for winning. Vannata said he’s dissected the tape in the years since, and at this point he has no question he should’ve had his hand raised.
It would have happened, too, if not for Vannata’s own doing. He landed an illegal knee on Green that cost him a point, and ultimately a split decision win. This time around, he wants no controversy.
“I’m looking forward to setting a few things straight,” Vannata said. “I’m very excited. It’s so hard to judge when you’re in there fighting. It’s so hard to know what the scorecards are going to be, and I actually thought I lost the fight when I was out there. It was when I went back and watched the fight I was like, ‘I clearly won it.’ I thought after watching I 100 percent won.”
His desire to clear the air won’t force Vannata into doing anything foolish though, he said. He will take victory however he can get it, but Vannata thinks just being himself will produce a positive result.
“I don’t want to try to get caught up in trying to finish the guy,” Vannata said. “I don’t want to force anything. I’m going to go out there and just fight my fight.”
