Esteban Ribovics

Esteban Ribovics Marijan (born 27 April 1996) is an Argentine mixed martial artist who currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background Ribovics was born in Salta, Argentina. He first encountered mixed martial arts at the age of 12, when his friend introduced him to it, and he took a liking to it following his first class. After finishing high school, at 17, he moved to Córdoba and began perfecting his skills, training in multiple disciplines such as boxing, muay thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He made his professional debut at age 18 with Infernales de Tartagal, in Salta.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Ribovics made his professional debut on 12 December 2015, and faced Lautaro Iturbe. He won the fight via Inverted Triangle Choke in the third round. He then went 7–0 in his next 7 fights, winning all by finish. On 12 February 2022, he fought Franco Aranda for the Samurai Fight House Lightweight Championship. He won the bout once again by first-round knockout. He then earned a Dana White's Contender Series contract in August 2022 by stopping Thomas Paull in 90 seconds. However, Kirk pulled out of the event for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Loik Radzhabov. Ribovics lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Ribovics then had his match with promotional newcomer Kamuela Kirk rescheduled and they fought on 8 July 2023, at UFC 290. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Ribovics was scheduled to face Elves Brener on 4 November 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231. However, Ribovics pulled out of the fight after suffering an accident that made him unable to fight.

Ribovics then faced Terrance McKinney on 11 May 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56. He won the fight via first-round knockout.

Ribovics faced Daniel Zellhuber on 14 September 2024, at UFC 306. He won the back and forth fight by split decision. This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award.

Ribovics faced Nasrat Haqparast on 1 March 2025, at UFC Fight Night 253. Ribovics lost the fight via split decision. The bout earned him another Fight of the Night award. 9 out of 11 media outlets scored the bout for Ribovics.

Ribovics ended up facing Elves Brener on 2 August 2025, at UFC on ESPN 71. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

Ribovics faced Mateusz Gamrot on 11 April 2026, at UFC 327. He lost the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the second round.

RIbovics faced Edson Barboza on 15 August 2026, at UFC 330. He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.

Championships and accomplishments

Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (Three times) UFC.com Awards 2024: Fight of the Year Samurai Fight House SFH Lightweight Champion (one time) Fusion FC FFC Interim Lightweight Champion (one time) LowKick MMA 2024 Fight of the Year Bleacher Report 2024 Fight of the Year Full Violence Awards 2024 Fight of the Year MMA Fighting 2024 Round of the Year MMA Junkie 2024 Fight of the Year CBS Sports 2024 UFC Fight of the Year Cageside Press 2024 Fight of the Year BodySlam.net 2024 Fight of the Year MMA Mania 2024 #2 Ranked Fight of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Edson Barboza TKO (punches) UFC 330

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Mateusz Gamrot Submission (arm triangle choke) UFC 327

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Elves Brener Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Taira vs. Park 2 August 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Nasrat Haqparast Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev 1 March 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Daniel Zellhuber Decision (split) UFC 306

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Terrance McKinney KO (head kick) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento 11 May 2024

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Kamuela Kirk Decision (unanimous) UFC 290 8 July 2023

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Loik Radzhabov Decision (unanimous) UFC 285 4 March 2023

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Thomas Paull KO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 50 16 August 2022

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Franco Aranda KO (punch) Samurai Fight House 3 12 February 2022

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Javier Basurto KO (punches) Fusion FC 44 10 December 2020

Lima, Peru Win

Jose Zarauz TKO (punches) Fusion FC 43 4 March 2020

Lima, Peru Win

Brian Flamengo KO (punches) United Fighting Series 9 9 November 2019

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Lucas Aybar Submission (kimura) United Fighting Series 7 4 August 2019

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Juan Jose Ibanez Submission (kimura) Power Fight: La Batalla del Puente 1 13 May 2017

Corrientes, Argentina Win

Maximiliano Ortiz Submission (kimura) Hualsur FC: Noche de Campeones 18 15 October 2016

Córdoba, Argentina Win

Didier Nahuel Submission (keylock) Cage League Championship 1 9 July 2016

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Fernando Garcia KO (superman punch) Battle Cage 1 22 May 2016

Las Heras, Argentina Win

Lautaro Iturbe Submission (inverted triangle choke) Hualsur FC: Noche de Campeones 14 12 December 2015

Córdoba, Argentina