King Green and Arnold Barboza Jr. tested both sides of the boxing-versus-MMA argument in the same gym. Barboza controlled their boxing spar, then Green took him down and forced a tap within about five seconds once they switched to grappling.
The exchange was filmed during a live gym session. Green entered without headgear, while Barboza wore headgear and a groin protector. The size of the gloves and the rules favored the 33-1 boxer during the striking portion; the advantage flipped immediately when they removed the gloves and went to the mat.
Green Ends The First Grappling Exchange In Seconds
The full footage shows Green close the distance, put Barboza on the canvas and attack the neck almost immediately. Barboza taps, and a later attempt produces the same outcome after Green again gets behind him.
Green did not pretend the boxing round had gone his way. Speaking in the gym after the spar, he gave Barboza credit for the gap in their boxing experience.
“I didn’t know I was going with a real champion. F*ck! He socked the sh*t out of me, chat.”
King Green reacts after boxing sparring with Arnold Barboza Jr.
Green’s “real champion” description was informal. Barboza is a former WBO interim super-lightweight champion, not a former full world champion. He won the interim belt by split decision against Jack Catterall in February 2025, lost his unbeaten record to Teofimo Lopez in May 2025, then beat Kenneth Sims Jr. by unanimous decision in March 2026.
Barboza Owns The Boxing Round
Barboza worked behind a compact guard, combinations and angles during the boxing session. Green kept his usual low hands and tried to draw exchanges, but the specialist repeatedly beat him to the target and made him reset. The full spar is available below without a highlight edit.
Barboza’s win over Sims moved his professional boxing record to 33-1 with 11 knockouts. Green is 36-17 in MMA after four straight UFC wins in 2026, capped by his first-round comeback stoppage of Terrance McKinney at UFC 329.
That UFC 329 result followed Green’s submission win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 328, giving him recent finishes by both strikes and grappling. MiddleEasy’s Green-McKinney report covers the late first-round rally, while Green’s UFC 328 fight week provides the timeline before the Stephens submission.
Barboza’s only professional loss came against Lopez in Times Square. The complete scorecards and round sequence are available in MiddleEasy’s Lopez-Barboza result.
