Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics Odds
Here's everything you need to know about Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics odds for UFC 306 on Saturday, September 14 – my expert UFC pick and prediction.
On tonight's UFC 306 main card, we've got an interesting clash at lightweight with Zellhuber taking on Ribovics.
I've been looking to get my money on Ribovics for a while now. But is now the time?
Here's my Zellhuber vs. Ribovics preview and betting angle for the Noche UFC matchup.
Clint MacLean's Tale of the Tape
| Zellhuber | Ribovics | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 15-1 | 13-1 |
| Avg. Fight Time | 13:41 | 8:02 |
| Height | 6'1" | 5'10" |
| Weight (pounds) | 155 lbs. | 155 lbs. |
| Reach (inches) | 77" | 69" |
| Stance | Switch | Orthodox |
| Date of birth | 7/7/1999 | 4/27/1996 |
| Sig Strikes Per Min | 5.86 | 6.20 |
| SS Accuracy | 41% | 52% |
| SS Absorbed Per Min | 5.1 | 3.5 |
| SS Defense | 56% | 53% |
| Take Down Avg | 0.22 | 0.93 |
| TD Acc | 33% | 66% |
| TD Def | 94% | 60% |
| Submission Avg | 0.2 | 0.5 |
At 28 years old and 2-1 in the UFC, Ribovics is a fighter the UFC could let carry the flag for Argentina in the organization for years to come.
He is aggressive and has an incredible gas tank with the ability to finish both on the ground and on the feet.
I mean, what's not to love about Esteban Ribovics?
The only issue for me is that he is at a pretty significant height and reach disadvantage, and Zellhuber is training at Xtreme Couture and getting some work with some of the best bodies in the game.
Zellhuber slipped up against Trey Ogden in his UFC debut, but since that fight, he's riding a three-fight winning streak, and he looks more and more composed each time out. He knows how to use his height and reach now, and he is becoming very defensively capable.
When Zellhuber fought Ribovics' countryman Francisco Prado, I said that he needed to fight the perfect fight in order to win. And that's exactly what Zellhuber did.
Ribovics is essentially a slightly more dangerous version of Prado. He will come forward and force this fight into a technical brawl, and once again, I feel Zellhuber has to fight the perfect fight to come out on top.
Zellhuber vs. Ribovics Pick
Zellhuber is currently a -225 favorite, and that number has come down. Ribovics was +250 a bit earlier in the week, and it makes sense to me that some money has come in on what appears to be a live 'dog.
Zellhuber will be in the big cage, where he has room to move and use his footwork, which is key to his winning on Saturday.
As Ribovics comes in aggressively, Zellhuber will look to counter and jab in order to keep him away. That game plan proved very effective against Prado.
I have been suckered into betting on the flashy finishers in the past, so in this fight, I think I will rely on the technical player instead. UFC 306 will be a night of violence – but not this one. Expect Zellhuber to do just what he needs to do to get the win.
The Pick: Daniel Zellhuber by Decision (+130 at FanDuel)
