Esteban Ribovics too busy in moment to realize UFC 306 slugfest with Zellhuber was instant classic

LAS VEGAS – Esteban Ribovics beat Daniel Zellhuber with a split decision Saturday on the main card at UFC 306 at Sphere in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Ribovics, who picked up $50,000 for Fight of the Night in a bout that will be talked about as a potential Fight of the Year three months from now.

Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber

Result: Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Ribovics (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Zellhuber (15-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Key stats: Ribovics and Zellhuber threw a combined 653 punches in a fight that was contested virtually entirely at striking range.

Ribovics on the fight’s key moment

“I’m very proud. All the hard work paid off. It was all worth it. Physically, I feel like sh*t. I knew how hard he was. I knew that he could take punches, and I also knew he was very good dodging the punches, going backwards. That’s why I didn’t rush forward. But I can also take a punch, as you guys saw. It was a tough fight and it was exactly as I as I envisioned.”

Ribovics on the potential to fight Zellhuber again

“Honestly, all I knew was that I thought that the second round could go either way. I knew I had to go out full on in the third round and that’s what I did. That elbow knocked me down, but I managed to get up and all I all I could think was, ‘Keep connecting hands. Keep landing. I’ve got to keep punching. Keep going forward.’

“It would be fantastic and an honor to share the octagon with him again. Maybe we can fight again in the future when we’re both stronger. I love this kind of fight where I take punches and I give punches. It would be a good (rematch) for the future.”

Ribovics on what he wants next

“I feel pretty bad right now, so I’ve got to make sure nothing’s broken or anything like that. So hopefully before the end of the year, early next year – but as I said, I don’t feel great right now. I’ve got to go back, maybe see how I feel in a month’s time. I do want to be within the top 15 rankings by the end of next year.”

To hear more from Ribovics, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.