Lightweight contenders collide Saturday night, as Mateusz Gamrot takes on Esteban Ribovics at UFC 327 in Miami.
Gamrot (25–4, 8–4 UFC) is coming off a second-round submission loss to Charles Oliveira in October, his second defeat in his last three fights. Ribovics (15–2, 4–2 UFC) rebounded from a split-decision loss to Nasrat Haqparast with a UD victory over Elves Brener last August.
Gamrot enters as a -192 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Ribovics sits as a +160 underdog. The total is set at 2.5 rounds.
Gamrot vs. Ribovics Preview
Mateusz Gamrot (#8)
Mateusz Gamrot has been a linchpin of the lightweight rankings for much of the 2020s, climbing as high as fifth in 2024. The Polish wrestler is known for his suffocating grappling and sound striking, with 13 of his 25 wins coming inside the distance — including eight knockouts, five submissions, and three first-round finishes.
The 35-year-old southpaw has scuffled a bit in the twilight of his career, dropping two of his last three bouts. But it’s important to note that both of those losses came against the division’s elite: Dan Hooker and former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. In between, “Gamer” ragdolled the less experienced Ludovit Klein en route to a lopsided unanimous decision last May. The grizzled veteran also owns career wins over Arman Tsarukyan, Rafael Fiziev, and Rafael Dos Anjos.
Esteban Ribovics
Esteban Ribovics graduated from Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022 with a flawless professional resume: 11–0 with 11 finishes. The Argentinian has since gone 4–2 inside the Octagon, showcasing his explosive striking with a 37-second knockout of Terrance McKinney.
“El Gringo,” 29, is known for his full-throttle fight style. He lands over eight significant strikes per minute and boasts an 80% finish rate, including seven knockouts, five submissions, and seven first-round stoppages. Ribovics’ last three bouts have received performance bonuses, capped by his unanimous decision win over Elves Brener in August.
However, Ribovics has struggled against UFC grapplers, as evidenced by his promotional debut against Loik Radzhabov in March 2023. There, he was taken down 11 times on his way to a momentum-stifling decision loss.
A win over Gamrot would certainly propel Ribovics into the division’s top 15. But he’ll have to show another layer to his grappling game against one of the best wrestlers at 155 pounds.
Gamrot vs. Ribovics Pick, Best Bet
Even at this stage in his career, Gamrot can hang with the best of ‘em. The Polish contender has become something of a gatekeeper for the lightweight division, successfully stifling rising prospects like Jalin Turner, Fiziev, and, most recently, Klein. While Ribovics has impressed inside the Octagon, he’s yet to record a win that suggests he’s in any way ready to stand toe-to-toe with the battle-tested Gamrot. Expect a signature performance from the seasoned veteran.
