Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics 7/8/2023 Predictions, Free Picks and Odds
On Saturday, July 8, 2023, Kamuela Kirk will face Esteban Ribovics in the Octagon at UFC 290. Kirk will open at +155, while Ribovics is at -195.
Kamuela “The Jawaiian” Kirk enters the ring with a 12-5-0 record. The 29-year-old weighs 155 pounds and is 5’10” tall. The arm span of the switch fighter is 75. Esteban “El Gringo” Ribovics weighs 155 lbs. and stands at 5’10”. The orthodox boxer enters the ring with an 11-1-0 record. The 27-year-old now has a 69-year-old reach. Esteban Ribovics connects with 4.79 significant strikes per minute, compared to Kamuela Kirk’s 2.99 significant strikes per minute. Ribovics connects on 47% of Kirk’s critical blows, whereas Kirk lands 49%. “The Jawaiian” receives 5.10 crucial blows per minute, but “El Gringo” only takes 3.09 in the Octagon. Kirk also deflects 37% of the severe blows aimed at him, whereas Ribovics deflects 56%.
Kamuela Kirk is the better wrestler regarding takedowns; he achieves one 0.86 times per 15 minutes. Kirk completes 40% of his takedown attempts while blocking 53% of those made by his opponents. In 15% of his attempted takedowns, Ribovics puts his opponents on the ground while blocking 47% of his opponent’s efforts. In terms of going for the takedown, Kirk is the more skilled fighter, attempting 1.3 takedowns every three rounds, compared to Ribovics’ 0.9 attempts.
Kamuela Kirk faced Damon Jackson in his previous match but lost by an arm triangle from half-guard in round 2. Jackson threw 102 strikes in total during this match, connecting on 51. Kirk landed 60 of his 93 total blows to win this fight. Jackson finally managed to land 32 of 78 significant strikes, giving him a 41% rate. Twenty-two of his 61 big head-focused blows were successful. According to statistics, Kirk ultimately connected on 22 of his 54 significant swings, or 40%. He hit on 14 of the 43 points targeted toward the head, an acceptable accuracy rate for the big blows. Kirk and Jackson used long throws for 81% and 84% of their big hits, respectively.
In March last year, Kirk lost to Damon Jackson through arm triangle choke submission in the second round. The duel broke his previous winning run of three fights, which began in 2021. His fighting resume lists 12 victories, including six submissions, five knockouts, and one decision. Three of his five defeats have been by decision, while nine of his 12 triumphs have ended in first-round finishes.
The accuracy of “The Jawaiian”‘s strikes is 50%, while its takedown accuracy is 40%. He engages 5.10 while landing 2.99 significant strikes per minute. This ratio is relatively poor, and he shouldn’t keep it over the long run. His takedown defense is 53%, and his defense against significant strikes is 38%. In addition, he submits 1.28 opponents every 15 minutes of fighting, averaging 0.86 takedowns.
Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics 7/8/2023 Predictions, Free Picks and Odds
Esteban Ribovics faced Loik Radzhabov in his final fight, which he ultimately lost in round three by unanimous decision. Finally, 92% of the critical strikes that Radzhabov attempted at a distance were successful, whereas 92% of the significant blows that Ribovics tried at a distance were successful. Robotics made 66 out of 129 major strikes, or 51% of his attempts. He ultimately succeeded in connecting on 52 of his big headshots. Of the 85 key hits in that battle, Radzhabov delivered 40. He ended up hitting on 33 of 78 head strikes out of all the key strikes thrown. Regarding the overall number of blows thrown in the match, Ribovics connected on 98 of 162 attempts, compared to Radzhabov’s 67 of 117.
After losing to Loik Radzhabov by unanimous decision in March of this year, Ribovics is returning to the Octagon. The loss ended his prior 11-fight winning streak from the beginning of his career in 2015. He has 11 victories in his fighting career, including six knockouts and five submits. His 11 triumphs have included first-round finishes in six of them.
“El Gringo” has a 48 percent hitting accuracy but zero takedown accuracy. He engages 3.09 while landing 4.79 major strikes per minute. This ratio is robust and unquestionably superior to Kirk’s. His defensive percentage against damaging blows is 57 percent, while his takedown defense is 48 percent. Although he has no takedown averages, he has managed 0.91 submissions per 15 minutes of fighting.
Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics. Kirk failed in his Dana White Contender Series debut and has a record of 1-1 in UFC competition. Ribovics performed admirably in his Contender Series bout but fell short in his opening UFC encounter. On paper, both boxers look strong. However, based on his aggressive attacking style and capacity to dictate the pace on the ground, Ribovics should narrowly defeat Kirk for the decision.
Prediction: Esteban Ribovics will at -175
Location: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Saturday, July 08, 2023
Main Card: 10:00 PM ET
Prelims: 6:00 PM ET
Watch on: ESPN and ESPN+
