Lightweights Terrance McKinney and Esteban Ribovics faced off at the UFC St. Louis preliminary card on Saturday, in a fight that easily was a popular selection for a post-fight bonus.
Even before the dust had settled, that prediction proved accurate. Esteban, like McKinney, had all of his wins via finish, and “El Gringo” had been to a decision just once, in a losing effort.
In a fight that was over in a flash, the first flurry set up the finishing sequence as McKinney and Ribovics both came out firing. Ribovics almost immediately had the upper hand, forcing McKinney to back up. As he did, Ribovics came forward, and after a few punches were exchanged, the Argentinian launched a head kick that landed with the authority of a baseball bat across the face of McKinney.
McKinney, the victim of what no doubt felt like a hit and run by a Mack truck, instantly sat down, practically twitching and unable to regain his composure. The ref was immediately in to wave things off.
holy fuck man #UFCStLouis pic.twitter.com/TWiqVtx2Xa
— damian (@d6mian) May 11, 2024
“Not stopping at any time, that was my plan,” Ribovics said following the fight, adding “I visualized it all week, I visualized it all the time, it came true, and I did it.” Watch his own replay, the lightweight added “Wow! Now I can see it really right.”
Wow indeed. The cataclysmic head kick KO by Esteban Ribovics left “T-Wrecks” McKinney looking like he’d just gone extinct, though he’ll no doubt be back for more thrillers.
Official Result: Esteban Ribovics def. Terrance McKinney by KO (head kick), Round 1, 0:37
