Ribovics Says Green's Camp Tried to Bully Him Before UFC 332

Esteban Ribovics says his first-round finish of King Green at UFC 332 was the most satisfying win of his career because of a heated confrontation with Green's camp before the fight.

Ribovics (17-3) knocked Green (36-18-1, 1 NC) down three times before referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the lightweight catchweight bout on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City. Speaking to Hablemos MMA, Ribovics said the bad blood leading into fight week made the victory hit differently.

"Yeah, you can say it's the most satisfying victory of my career because this was the first time they tried to bully me and treat me disrespectfully," Ribovics said.

What Happened Between Ribovics and Green's Camp

The tension started after Ribovics narrowly missed weight. Tensions between the fighters escalated after Ribovics narrowly missed weight, and the Argentine lightweight's team then clashed with Green's entourage, including professional boxer Arnold Barboza Jr., before the ceremonial weigh-ins. Ribovics said the confrontation got physical before anyone threw a punch in the cage.

"At that moment, I was telling him like, 'Shut your mouth or keep talking,' something like that. I don't remember. They were outside and I confronted Barboza and that's when Green stepped in and pushed me. They don't need to touch me and surrounded us with his team. That's when respect flew out the window. They tried to bully me and tried to be the bad boys. They were saying we could fight here in the streets. Come on, man. Shut up," Ribovics said.

Why This Win Means More to Ribovics

Ribovics made it clear the personal history with Green's team is what separates this finish from his other wins inside the Octagon. He's framing the victory less as a statement for the judges and more as a receipt handed back to people who got in his face before the fight ever started. Fighters usually brush off prefight trash talk once the cage door closes, but Ribovics made a point of revisiting the moment publicly well after the result was final, which says something about how personal the buildup got.

The confrontation with Barboza and Green's corner also puts a spotlight on how fight week flashpoints can shape a fighter's motivation once the bell rings. Ribovics turned a tense weigh-in week into his signature win, and his public comments suggest this one is not fully closed even with the result already on the books.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Esteban Ribovics say about King Green after UFC 332?

Esteban Ribovics said his first-round stoppage win over King Green at UFC 332 was the most satisfying victory of his career, citing a heated confrontation with Green's team before the fight.

How did Esteban Ribovics beat King Green at UFC 332?

Esteban Ribovics knocked King Green down three times in the first round of their catchweight bout at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City before referee Herb Dean stopped the fight.

What caused the tension between Ribovics and Green before UFC 332?

Tension rose after Esteban Ribovics narrowly missed weight, leading to a confrontation between his team and King Green's camp, including boxer Arnold Barboza Jr., before the ceremonial weigh-ins.