For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
Dez Green does not fit neatly into the tidy stereotypical story of the wrestler-turned mixed-martial-artist, but then again—everything about Green defies conventions. That’s because the fiercely independent 23-year old former Division I wrestling standout subscribes to doing things on his own terms in much the manner that Frank Sinatra described in his famous song “My Way.”.
From the first time he stepped onto the wrestling mat as a high school student, Green knew he was a gifted grappler. To hear him tell it, everything clicked instantly and just made sense to him about the sport. The results reflected it. Dez quickly made a name for himself as a talented high school wrestler and earned an athletic scholarship to compete at the University of Buffalo.
At Buffalo, Dez continued winning and found his name mentioned in the conversation about the top collegiate wrestlers in the country. However, a series of failed drug tests beginning his sophomore year shifted the focus from his outstanding skills to his strong beliefs in the medicinal and spiritual healing properties of marijuana. Ultimately, Green decided to follow his own convictions rather than rules he didn’t morally or philosophically accept, thus resulting in him missing his senior year of competition.
Wrestling’s loss would ultimately become the sport of MMA’s gain. Green grabbed at an opportunity to take a spur-of-the-moment amateur full-contact bout back in December 2011. After winning the fight in impressive first-round fashion, Dez connected with Ryan Ciotoli’s powerful Team Bombsquad in Ithaca, New York and has never looked back.
In just his second amateur MMA match, Dez debuted in New England Fights! (NEF) and has since referred to Maine, where the promotion is headquartered, as his “second home,” having fought in the state three times already. It’s a move that Sinatra might not have approved of. Regardless, Green’s fourth mixed martial arts bout in “Vacationland” is scheduled for this Saturday when he faces Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Henry Martinez (9-3) for the inaugural Maine State MMA Lightweight Championship, an opportunity that Dez earned last September when he defeated 2012 “Knockout-of-the-Year” award winner Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (2-5).
“I’m excited,” Green stated recently when asked about his upcoming title fight. “I get to have my first belt. I’ve been working really hard—really, really diligently. I’m excited. This is going to be my first five-round fight. I’m going in there with a lot of energy. I’m looking for the finish. “
In a fashion very uncommon for most MMA athletes, Green has opted to fight as often as he can possibly seize opportunities, sometimes even taking bouts on less than one week’s notice. His eagerness has earned him an outstanding 8-1 professional record in less then 12 months of active competition—a record rarely acquired so quickly.
Due to his frequent level of activity and exciting performances in the cage, Green has begun to develop quite a following in Maine. Maine fans have dubbed him “Rasta Man” in response to his dreadlocks, “Buffalo Soldier” song choice for entrance music, and for his very publicly professed unabashed support for all things related to the Rastafarian lifestyle. Green promises that the love he receives from Maine is reciprocated. “It’s literally my favorite place to fight,” he stated. “I love it up in Maine… Maine fans are the best.”
Despite the drawbacks of Green’s proud independence—namely, one senior college wrestling season left undone—it is difficult to argue with the outcomes-to-date of how he has decided to approach his mixed martial arts career. With an 8-1 record and a title shot on the line on Saturday, he has made his own path in the sport and, as Old Blue Eyes would say, “Not in a shy way.”
At the time of this writing, the fight card for May 18 in Lewiston consisted of more than thirty fights. The main event will feature Marcus Davis (21-9) taking on Darrius Heyliger (4-1) in a welterweight showdown. In the second title fight of the evening, Travis Bartlett (8-3) meets former NFL player Tyler King (6-1) for the Maine State Heavyweight Championship. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event, visit www.NewEnglandFights.com. You can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
About New England Fights
New England Fights! (“NEF!”) is a Mixed Martial Arts promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF!’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
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