Saturday promises to be a pivotal moment that could go some way towards writing the next chapter of Green’s storied career.
The veteran is entering the final two fights of his current deal with the UFC and has acknowledged his performance against Ribovics could define what comes next.
After defeating McKinney to match the longest winning streak of his UFC career since 2014 (four fights), Green was keen to be matched against a top-15 opponent in the lightweight division in a bid to reclaim his place in the rankings for the first time since July 2024.
But at 40 years old, Green knows his place in the food chain and accepts he is likely to be used as a yardstick for up-and-coming prospects.
“It’s an out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new business,” Green said. “Our pay-checks go up, so we’ve got to get the new guys in to get us guys out of there. Do you know what I mean?
“It’s just business. They’ve got to cut the pay down, keep it to a certain amount. And so if they get rid of some of us guys and make new stars, why not?”
During his media appearances this week, Green made no secret of his dream to one day fight for the symbolic BMF title.
The BMF title is awarded to the ‘baddest’ fighter in the UFC and has been competed for five times since its inauguration in 2019.
With only a couple of fights left on his deal and currently outside of the rankings, his chances of being matched against the current BMF champion, Charles Oliveira, appear unlikely.
But for someone who has been around the sport long enough to experience his fair share of highs and lows, there is a different dream he is closing in on.
“The focus is changing my family’s life and making it a better life,” Green said.
“I want to get towards the BMF belt, but at the end of the day, give me my money.”