UFC St. Louis video: Esteban Ribovics sleeps Terrance McKinney with brutal head-kick knockout in 37 seconds
Esteban Ribovics lived up to his reputation as a devastating first-round finisher yet again at UFC St. Louis.
Taking on an all-action fighter like Terrance McKinney on the preliminary card was exactly what Ribovics needed to add another knockout to his highlight reel. The fight barely got going before the lightweights were swinging for the fences with a “whoever lands first likely scores a knockout” type of mentality.
It was Ribovics’ night after he came forward aggressively and then uncorked a hellacious head kick that rattled off McKinney’s face and sent him crashing to the canvas in a heap. There was no follow up needed because McKinney was already unconscious when he hit the floor as Ribovics began his celebration.
ESTEBAN RIBOVICS HEAD KICK KO IN THE OPENING SECONDS #UFCStLouis pic.twitter.com/eqYojEphBq
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 11, 2024
The end came at just 37 seconds into the opening round.
“This is what I told people,” Ribovics said about his win. “I tell people all the time, this is my moment, this is my time. This is what we’re here for. My plan was go for the kill. I visualized it all week. It came true and I did it.”
Throughout his UFC career, McKinney constantly employs a go big or go home attitude and that’s what spelled his demise on Saturday.
After he came out guns blazing when the fight got started, Ribovics appeared more than happy to match him strike for strike in the center of the cage. It didn’t take long for Ribovics to find his range and that’s when he pushed McKinney backwards before unleashing the fight-ending kick.
It was an incredible performance for Ribovics, especially after going to decision in his first two outings with the UFC. He improves his overall record to 13-1 while McKinney falls to 2-3 over his past five fights.