Esteban Ribovics Marijan (born April 27, 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 December 12, 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 December 10, 2020, he faced Javier Basurto for the Fusion FC Interim Lightweight Championship. He won the bought by first round knockout. On February 12, 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 March 4, 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 July 8, 2023, at UFC 290. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Ribovics was scheduled to face Elves Brener on November 4, 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 May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56. He won the fight via first-round knockout. Ribovics faced Daniel Zellhuber on September 14, 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 March 1, 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 August 2, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 71. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award. Ribovics is scheduled to face Mateusz Gamrot on April 11, 2026, at UFC 327. == 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 2024 UFC Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber Cageside Press 2024 Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber BodySlam.net 2024 Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber MMA Mania 2024 #2 Ranked Fight of the Year vs. Daniel Zellhuber == Mixed martial arts record == == See also == List of current UFC fighters List of male mixed martial artists == References ==