Esteban Ribovics scored several knockdowns on King Green to earn an impressive first-round stoppage win at UFC 332 on Saturday.
There was a lot of back-and-forth between the fighters leading into the lightweight matchup but it was Ribovics who delivered as he came out looking better than ever. Ribovics found a home for a devastating left hand that was just giving Green nightmares and it put the always-entertaining veteran down on the canvas several times.
The final knockdown left the referee no choice but to rescue Green from potential harm with the end of the fight coming at 4:08 in the opening round.
“I’m sorry I missed weight,” Ribovics shouted to the crowd. “Next time I’m going to be more professional. I trained for that. I train everyday. To bring violence to the octagon. I have my wedding in one month … I’m ready for the next.”
Ribovics came storming out of the gate right away and landed some heavy shots as Green ducked and dodged to try and avoid potential damage. Green fired back with quick kicks and straight punches but keeping his hands down as he always does.
Green did a good job keeping Ribovics at arm’s length as he chipped away at him from the outside.
But then Ribovics unloading a huge shot that put Green down on the canvas two times in a row.
Ribovics continued his assault as he clipped and caught Green again and put him down on the ground with a series of left hands. Several knockdowns in a row and that was enough as referee Herb Dean stepped into stop the fight.
Ribovics has now scored stoppage wins over a pair of legends in Green and Edson Barboza in consecutive fights as he looks to continue his momentum moving into 2027.
