Esteban Ribovics wants another crack at a ranked opponent.
After failing to get a win against his first top-15 fighter, Ribovics (17-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) believes it's he's now ready to welcome another rival with a number next to their name. This call comes after Ribovics' first-round TKO
of veteran King Green (36-18-1 MMA, 17-13-1 UFC) on the main card of UFC 332 – which took place Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah."I don't like to call out names," Ribovics said at the UFC 332 post-fight press conference. "All I want is an opportunity again to get into the top. I got the opportunity. I failed, but that fight made a click in my life, and it made me more professional. I'm ready for any name at the top. I'm ready to prove I belong there."
Ribovics got
his first taste of someone in the rankings in April. He was submitted by Mateusz Gamrot. Since, he stopped Edson Barboza and now Green. The win over Green was a big one, as the 40-year-old veteran was on a four-fight winning streak entering UFC 332.
"I feel incredible," Ribovics said. "I know he talked a lot of sh*t, but it's his game. I know he was going to do that. I prepared for that. My partner do the same in training. I come ready for that."
Ribovics felt he had a good gauge of Green in preparation for UFC 332. Although, when the fight rolled out, Ribovics felt even more confident that he was going to deliver a finish.
"We studied him a lot," Ribovics said. "I was listening to my corner, who were telling me that when he ducks his head to throw the uppercuts. They wanted me to pick up the pace, but something inside of me told me to stay calm. I got confidence when I felt he didn't hit that hard. He does hit precisely, though. He has like a scope on his hand, but doesn't hit hard. That gave me confidence to move forward and look for the KO."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Esteban Ribovics wants another shot at rankings after UFC 332 win: 'I belong there'
