Renato Moicano was left without an opponent for UFC 326, and Esteban Ribovics thinks he can help him out with that problem.
Moicano (20-7-1 MMA, 12-7 UFC) was scheduled to fight fellow former title challenger Brian Ortega in the co-main event of the March 7 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas – but unfortunately the injury bug bit Ortega and left Moicano without a dance partner. Ribovics (15-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) is more than down to step up on short notice, and has already let the UFC know of his availability.
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“I respect Moicano a lot,” Ribovics told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. “I’ve followed his career for a while now, and I’m aware of his career and accomplishments. I know how strong he is, and that’s why I want to face him. He carries a good name, and he’s a veteran. So yeah, Ali (Abdelaziz) called me, asked me if I was training, which I am, and yeah, I’m ready for a short-notice fight. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
“El Gringo” thinks he makes sense for Moicano. After all, Moicano’s nickname is “Money” and Ribovics is coming off three consecutive Fight of the Night bonus-winning performances that each earned him $50,000 extra. Now that the UFC has upped their Fight Night bonuses to $100,000 starting in 2026, Ribovics sees it as a good opportunity for both fighters to cash a fat check.
“If he likes money as he says, he knows he’ll have a bonus guaranteed with me,” Ribovics explained. “I put on wars, and always move forward. He fights me, and he has a show guaranteed. I’ve gotten a bonus in three consecutive fights.”
Ribovics has already called for Moicano for a few days and has yet to hear from the Brazilian. Although he sees a lot of positives for both in the matchup, he understands why Moicano may stay silent on the callout.
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“I think he might be a little scared, which is fine,” Ribovics said. “He’s someone who’s coming off a loss, and he’s in the rankings, so facing someone that’s unranked doesn’t favor him much, and more against someone like me, who hits hard and is coming off three Fight of the Nights. I hit hard. I’m durable, and in the last fight I showed I have ground game. If there are still questions about my ground game, what better way than to face Renato Moicano to show everyone my jiu-jitsu. If he wants to go to the ground, we go to the ground. People haven’t seen that part of me.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Esteban Ribovics offers to fight Renato Moicano on short notice at UFC 326
