Loik Radzhabov vs Esteban Ribovics Prediction: the Bout Won't Go Into Distance

On the night of March 5б, a huge UFC 285 tournament will occur. The event will open with a confrontation between two debutants - Loik Rajabov from Tajikistan will share the cage with Esteban Ribovich from Argentina. The bout will take place in the light heavyweight division.

Radzhabov was supposed to fight on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). Still, by happy coincidence, he slipped into the UFC and became the second representative of Tajikistan (after Nurullo Aliev) in the strongest league. He is very close to a top-level fighter, former silver medalist of the World Amateur MMA Championship, and two-time PFL finalist. And his last fight so far was in Khabib Nurmagomedov's league Eagle FC, where he choked American Zach Zane in the first round.

The Argentine fighter is much less known to the audience because he fought in local rather than the highest level leagues. He has never had a bitter defeat but came to UFC through the Contender Series, where he knocked out Englishman Thomas Paull in the first round. It should be noted that there is nothing unusual about it. Ribovics won all his victories ahead of time (six by knockout, five by submission) and the last three - in the first round.

When the fight was first announced, Radzhabov appeared to be the underdog, probably because the bookies were confused by the short notice. But that was a mistake. There is no need to bury the Argentine in advance. He is a real dark horse, and no one knows how he will behave in a fight against a strong opponent. But he is a knockout fighter with great wrestling skills, and who would be surprised if he finishes his opponent again? The explanation will be found instantly, just as in the case of Radzhabov's early victory.