Philadelphia — Esteban Ribovics has heard the rumors that Edson Barboza might retire at UFC 330, and has seen the videos of his opponent training hard.
“We had a really hard camp expecting this,” stated Ribovics (15-3), who revealed on Wednesday that one of his training partners was “the guy that was sparring with Justin Gaethje, and prepared him to beat Ilia Topuria.” That’s “my guy,” Ribovics added during the UFC 330 media day, speaking with outlets including Cageside Press.
When Ribovics was making his pro debut, Barboza was facing off with Tony Ferguson. That was 11 years ago. Barboza had already been fighting professionally for seven years.
“It was a fight I thought that could happen,” admitted Ribovics. “Our paths could cross, and it was a possibility that this fight, that he could be in my way, that we would have the opportunity to fight him. Something I really like is, train so hard that your idols become your rivals. I really take it to heart, and I feel that’s what’s happening right now.”
Fans are expecting sheer carnage from Barboza vs. Ribovics, which makes one question whether expectations might lead him to take risks he might not otherwise. Ribovics, however, told Cageside Press that violent clashes are what he loves.
“I love it. I love the violence, I love to be that way, I love that fact and I want people to recognize me for that.”
A win over Barboza, meanwhile, would seem to be a feather in Ribovic’s cap, but he’s taking it as just another victory.
“He’s got a great name, a great journey in the UFC, but I think at the end of the day, it becomes one more name on your journey to the top,” stated Ribovics. “It’s one more step that you have to be at the top.”
Watch the full UFC 330 media day appearance by Esteban Ribovics above.
