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). As of October 3, 2026, he is #15 in the Meta UFC lightweight rankings.
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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 10 December 2020, he faced Javier Basurto for the Fusion FC Interim Lightweight Championship. He won the bought by first-round knockout. 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.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ribovics was scheduled to make his UFC promotional debut against Kamuela Kirk on 4 March 2023, at UFC 285. 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.
Ribovics faced King Green on 3 October 2026 at UFC 332. At the weigh-ins, Ribovics weighed in at 156.5 pounds, half a pound over the lightweight non-title fight limit. the bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Green. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.
Championships and accomplishments
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Daniel Zellhuber, Nasrat Haqparast and Elves Brener
UFC Honors Awards
2024: President's Choice Fight of the Year Nominee vs. Daniel Zellhuber
UFC.com Awards
2024: Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Samurai Fight House
SFH Lightweight Champion (one time)
Fusion FC
FFC Interim Lightweight Champion (one time)
LowKick MMA
2024 Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306
Bleacher Report
2024 Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Full Violence Awards
2024 Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306
MMA Fighting
2024 Round of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber
MMA Junkie
2024 Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber
CBS Sports