Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 71

4 days ago

Elves Brener and Esteban Ribovics meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 71 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 2-3
UFC main cards, 2025: 72-56-1
Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC on ESPN 71 preview
Brener (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) will look to right the ship after dropping back-to-back fights: a unanimous decision to Myktybek Orolbai and a third-round TKO loss to Joel Alvarez. Prior to his recent skid, Brener won five straight. That stretch included four finishes and his first three UFC victories. ... Ribovics (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) enters on the heels of a split decision loss to Nasrat Haqparast in March. After dropping his UFC debut, Ribovics won three straight UFC bouts, including a 37-second stoppage of Terrance McKinney.
Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC on ESPN 71 expert pick, prediction
Serving as a solid action fight at 155 pounds is a battle between Esteban Ribovics and Elves Brenner.
Although this fight would be better served in front of a live crowd (as booking Ribovics in back-to-back UFC Apex fights after giving us 2024's Fight of the Year feels incredibly disrespectful), it should be wild while it lasts.
Brenner is your classic Brazilian brawler who hails from the legendary Chute Boxe camp, while Ribovics brings the high-paced boxing and body work that both hardcore and casual fans pop for.
I'll be curious if Brenner looks to utilize his underrated wrestling in the smaller octagon, but Ribovics appears to be a slippery and scrambly fighter to boot.
Even though a better version of Brenner wouldn't shock me, I'll side with Ribovics' durability and pace to produce a finish in Round 3.
Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC on ESPN 71 odds
The oddsmakers and the public favor the Argentinian fighter, listing Ribovics (-265) and Brenner (+210) via FanDuel.
Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC on ESPN 71 start time, how to watch
Brener and Ribovics are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 10:40 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.