Green Upsets Zellhuber in Mexico
King Green upset TKO'd Daniel Zellhuber at UFC Mexico City prelims, sparking criticism of Herb Dean's stoppage with fans saying "F*ck is Herb doing." Imanol Rodriguez also rebounded with a 2nd-round TKO over Kevin Borjas at 4:21 via punches.
The lightweight bout was a pivotal moment for both "King" Green and Daniel "Golden Boy" Zellhuber, who entered the octagon on opposite trajectories. Green, a 28-fight UFC veteran, was looking to build momentum after a recent split-decision win, holding a 2-2 record in his last four fights. Zellhuber, fighting in front of his home crowd in Mexico City, was aiming to snap the first losing streak of his career after dropping two consecutive fights. The controversy surrounding referee Herb Dean's stoppage is not an isolated incident. Dean, one of the most experienced referees in MMA, has faced criticism for both late and early stoppages in high-profile fights, including bouts involving Francisco Trinaldo, C.B. Dollaway, and Renan Barão. These past events have led to heightened scrutiny from fans and commentators alike whenever he officiates. For Imanol Rodriguez, the victory marked a successful UFC debut after earning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series. An undefeated prospect with a background on *The Ultimate Fighter*, Rodriguez demonstrated his resilience by overcoming an early knockdown in the first round before securing the TKO. His opponent, Kevin "El Gallo Negro" Borjas, has now lost four of his last five fights. The Peruvian flyweight entered the UFC after a win on the Contender Series in 2023 but has struggled to find consistent success inside the promotion.
