UFC"El Gringo"Esteban Ribovics Record: 16-3-0
LightweightRecord16-3-0
Age30
DivisionLightweight · #27
Combat Edge Elo1746
Last fightAug 15 2026
Esteban Ribovics has a 16-3-0 professional record and is 30 years old in the Lightweight division, representing Kill Cliff FC (1687 average active-roster Elo across 29 rated fighters). This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Aug 16, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Esteban Ribovics bio
Personal background
Esteban Ribovics, nicknamed "El Gringo," is an Argentine lightweight who fights in the UFC out of Kill Cliff FC in Florida. Born on April 27, 1996, in Tartagal, in the northern province of Salta, Argentina, he was drawn to martial arts as a boy and began training around the age of 12, in the period following his father's death. He turned professional at 18 and rose to become one of the most prominent freelance fighters in Argentina, winning regional titles before earning his move to the United States and the elite Kill Cliff FC camp. Standing 5'10" with a 69-inch reach, Ribovics built his reputation on a fearless, finish-hungry striking style, and away from the cage he is known for his love of singing and playing guitar.
Path to the UFC
Ribovics turned professional in 2015 and cut his teeth across the South American circuit, fighting for promotions such as Hualsur FC, Battle Cage, United Fighting Series, Fusion Fighting Championship and Samurai Fight House while collecting regional honors. His finishing ability traveled with him at every stop, mixing slick submissions early in his career with increasingly destructive striking. That power earned him his shot on Dana White's Contender Series in August 2022, where he knocked out Thomas Paull in the first round to secure his UFC contract.
UFC run
Ribovics opened his UFC tenure in March 2023 with a competitive unanimous-decision loss to Loik Radzhabov at UFC 285, then quickly found his footing. He earned his first octagon win that July, outpointing Kamuela Kirk over three rounds at UFC 290. The breakthrough came in May 2024 with a vicious first-round head-kick knockout of Terrance McKinney, a highlight-reel finish that announced him as a real threat in the lightweight division.
Climbing the division
Ribovics continued his rise in September 2024 with a hard-fought split-decision win over previously once-beaten Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306, one of the better lightweight scraps of the year. He dropped a narrow split decision to Nasrat Haqparast in March 2025 before rebounding with a unanimous-decision win over Elves Brener that August. His step up against top contender Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 327 in April 2026 ended in a second-round arm-triangle choke loss, the first submission defeat of his career, leaving him at 15-3 as a professional.
Fighting style
Ribovics is an aggressive, finish-oriented fighter with one of the more complete offensive toolkits in his weight class. His 15 wins break down to seven knockouts and five submissions for an 80 percent finish rate, evidence of genuine danger both standing and on the mat. His striking is his calling card, headlined by the spectacular head-kick knockout of McKinney, and his early-career grappling shows he can hunt finishes from the ground as well. The Gamrot loss exposed that elite wrestlers can drag him into deep water and capitalize once the fight hits the canvas, marking the clearest area for him to shore up as he chases the division's top 10.
Career highlights
- Contender Series knockout — stopped Thomas Paull in the first round to earn his UFC contract in 2022.
- Head-kick highlight — knocked out Terrance McKinney with a first-round head kick, one of the standout finishes of 2024.
- Contender on the rise — beat Daniel Zellhuber and others to build an 80 percent career finish rate while climbing the lightweight ranks.
Career snapshot
Esteban Ribovics career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1746Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#175
Lightweight#27of 283 active
Peak1746
Last move+17
Opponent quality1674avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1746 Elo after defeating Edson Barboza (2026-08-15)
Similar Elo in Lightweight
Esteban Ribovics quick answers
What is Esteban Ribovics's record?
Esteban Ribovics's professional MMA record is 16-3-0.
How old is Esteban Ribovics?
Esteban Ribovics is 30 years old.
What weight class is Esteban Ribovics?
Esteban Ribovics fights at Lightweight in UFC.
What gym does Esteban Ribovics represent?
Esteban Ribovics is associated with Kill Cliff FC, whose 29 active Combat Edge fighters average 1687 Elo.
How tall is Esteban Ribovics?
Esteban Ribovics is 5'10" tall with a 69" reach.
How much does Esteban Ribovics weigh?
Esteban Ribovics competes at Lightweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 155 lbs.
What is Esteban Ribovics's Combat Edge Elo?
Esteban Ribovics's Combat Edge Elo is 1746, with a peak Elo of 1746.
How strong is Esteban Ribovics's recent opposition?
Esteban Ribovics's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1674 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Esteban Ribovics's last fight?
Esteban Ribovics's latest tracked pro fight was against Edson Barboza at UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry on Aug 15 2026.
What is Esteban Ribovics's recent form?
Esteban Ribovics's recent tracked pro form is W-L-W-L-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Esteban Ribovics usually win?
Esteban Ribovics's 16 recorded wins include 8 knockouts, 5 submissions, and 3 decisions, with 81% ending before the final bell.
8Wins by knockout
5Wins by submission
3Wins by decision
0Loss by knockout
1Loss by submission
2Loss by decision
Esteban Ribovics stats
Record : 16 / 3 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
7.27Fighter3.82UFC lightweight avg
Significant striking accuracy
43%Fighter46%UFC lightweight avg
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
5.83Fighter3.91UFC lightweight avg
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
55%Fighter54%UFC lightweight avg
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
0.35Fighter1.69UFC lightweight avg
Takedown accuracy
0%Fighter31%UFC lightweight avg
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
66%Fighter58%UFC lightweight avg
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.17Fighter0.52UFC lightweight avg
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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