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UFC Fight of the Year Contender Books Next Opponent

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Chris De Santiago | Last updated Dec 27, 2024 6:05 PM ET

Esteban Ribovics is getting a step-up in competition after a rather stellar 2024 in the books.

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Ribovic's Next Fight

Fresh off a knockout of Terrance McKinney and one of the best fights of the year at the Sphere against Daniel Zellhuber, Ribovics continues to work his way through the lightweight ladder, the promotional newcomer drawing a veteran with three times his UFC experience in his next fight.

On Friday, Marcel Dorff reported Ribovics would be taking on Nasrat Haqparast at a UFC Fight Night event on March 1 in Las Vegas. Haqparast, a fighter with a record of 17-5, is riding an impressive four-fight win streak, his last victory coming over Jared Gordon this past June.

#UFCVegas103

Nasrat Haqparast takes on Esteban Ribovics on March 1st in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/2dx1df0B7T
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) December 27, 2024

Haqparast debuted in the UFC in 2017, going 9-4 since, his only losses in the last 5 years to the likes of #6 contender Dan Hooker, King Green and Drew Dober.

28-year-old Ribovics has only lost once across 15 fights. He fell short to Loik Radzhabov at UFC 285 but bounced back with three wins in a row, arguably none more exciting than the distance he went at Noche UFC (UFC 306), which saw the Argentinian return from the jaws of defeat to a near-finish of Daniel Zellhuber, all in the final round.