In perhaps one of the most competitive and thrilling fights that we’ll see in the UFC this year, Esteban Ribovics managed to just narrowly eke out a victory over Daniel Zellhuber at Noche UFC 306. The fight was even throughout, with both men seemingly equal in their striking and damage. Both men displayed high-level striking, […]
In perhaps one of the most competitive and thrilling fights that we’ll see in the UFC this year, Esteban Ribovics managed to just narrowly eke out a victory over Daniel Zellhuber at Noche UFC 306.
The fight was even throughout, with both men seemingly equal in their striking and damage. Both men displayed high-level striking, trading with one another throughout as momentum and advantage continuously shifted over the course of their 15 minutes of battle.
The third round proved to be the most intense and thrilling, starting with Zellhuber dropping Ribovics in the opening minute.
Then, about a minute or so later, Ribovics landed a right hook that wobbled Zellhuber, with Ribovics nearly finishing him against the fence — but Zellhuber fought back and managed to survive.
Ultimately, neither man swept the scorecards in any of the three rounds. Ribovics, however, managed to just score a split decision.
Esteban Ribovics Narrowly Defeats Daniel Zellhuber In Fight Of The Year Contender
Run it back immediately and push the rest of the card back #UFCNoche
Daniel Zellhuber recently mapped out an ambitious three-year plan charting his course toward a UFC title shot. Zellhuber is gearing up to take on Esteban Ribovics in a lightweight clash on the main card of Noche UFC 306, set to go down this Saturday inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Golden Boy” earned his […]
“Golden Boy” earned his spot in the UFC with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Lucas Almeida on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021. However, his promotional debut a year later didn’t unfold as planned, as he suffered the sole defeat of his professional career at the hands of Trey Ogden.
Despite this setback, the 25-year-old Mexican rebounded impressively, stringing together a three-fight win streak. Most recently, Zellhuber secured a decisive victory over Francisco Prado at UFC Fight Night in Mexico this past February.
Noche UFC 306 offers Zellhuber a prime opportunity to steal the spotlight as he aims to ascend the ranks of the highly competitive lightweight division, with his sights set on securing a title shot in the near future…
Zellhuber Sets Sights On Veterans To Break Into Lightweight Rankings
During a recent interview on Verse Us with Eric Nicksick, “Golden Boy” shared his aspirations for the future, emphasizing that a potential victory over Ribovics at Noche UFC 306 could serve as the launch pad for his rapidly rising career.
“I always have a plan with the team where I wanted to take my time,” Zellhuber said. “But again, now that I’m more confident in my skill set and more comfortable fighting and, you know, doing all these things, growing as an athlete, I feel that this fight is my way to put the entire 155-pound division on notice. I want to win this fight, and after that, I want a former top 15 opponent, like somebody who was already in the rankings.”
Zellhuber further expressed his desire to face seasoned divisional veterans like Michael Johnson or Bobby Green as his pathway to breaking into the rankings. Afterward, the DWCS graduate aims to take on highly ranked contenders by 2026, with the ultimate goal of challenging for the lightweight title in 2027.
“I have Michael Johnson on my mind, even Bobby Green. It’s funny because I talk with Chase Hooper on Instagram. I texted him like, ‘Hey, you want to fight?’ and he answered me. Then it’s funny because we ended up being kind of like friends. I was trying to talk bullsh*t, but it didn’t work. I want one of those guys who was already there but is recently coming out [of rankings]. Then, by the end of next year, I want to fight a top 15 opponent, and start 2026 with a top 10, close the year with a top five, and then in 2027, a championship fight. I like to have everything planned. I feel that’s also why I’m being successful in my career because I don’t like to do things just like, ‘Yeah, let’s do this.’”
Somebody get Esteban Ribovics his $50,000 bonus. Coming off a unanimous decision victory over Kamuela Kirk in July, ‘El…
Somebody get Esteban Ribovics his $50,000 bonus.
Coming off a unanimous decision victory over Kamuela Kirk in July, ‘El Gringo’ was looking for his second-straight win inside the Octagon against lightweight knockout artist Terrance McKinney at UFC St. Louis on Saturday night.
Things started hot with Ribovics putting pressure on ‘T-Wrecks’ early. Pushing the pace and backing McKinney up against the cage, Ribovics threw a right hand immediately followed by a right head kick that caught his opponent and immediately brought an end to the bout a mere 37 seconds in.
Official Result: Esteban Ribovics def. Terrance McKinney via KO (head kick) at 0:37 of Round 1.
Ribovics now has seven finishes in the first round, four of them coming in 40 seconds or less. He moves to 2-1 under the UFC banner, and 13-1 overall in his mixed martial arts career.
Check out Highlights from Esteban Ribovics vs. Terrance mcKinney at UFC St. Louis:
that is one of the best fights I've ever seen #UFCNoche
y Esteban Ribovics
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Somebody get Esteban Ribovics his $50,000 bonus. Coming off a unanimous decision victory over Kamuela Kirk in July, ‘El…
