Elves Brener already has his call-out ready should he win at UFC on ESPN 71.
Elves Brener details gameplan to take out Esteban Ribovics at UFC Apex
UFC on ESPN 71’s Elves Brener spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his lightweight bout vs. Esteban Ribovics in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS – Elves Brener has yet to step in the cage in 2025, but he already has his second fight for the year mapped out.
Returning this Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 71 (ESPN, ESPN+), Brener (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) takes on fellow lightweight brawler Esteban Ribovics Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Brener plans to hand Ribovics (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) a defeat and then fight Ribovics’ teammate, Michael Johnson, or have a rematch with Myktybek Orolbai to close out 2025.
“Again, I haven’t fought, but it’s been a very intense year and I put myself through a lot in the past year, and I’ve been always getting ready for a fight, but the fight didn’t come, so I think I need some rest after this fight,” Brener said at Wednesday’s media day. “November, December against Michael Johnson or Olorbai again as a rematch. I’ll be ready for that. I just need to take some time off, and I’ll be ready to fight again at the end of the year.”
Looking ahead is a risky proposition for some, especially if coming off a two-fight losing streak like Brener. Yet, the Brazilian is confident he’ll get the win, and can’t wait to show the world his improvements.
“I was away from the cage almost a year, yes, but I kept training,” Brener said. “I can’t remember the last day I didn’t train. I’m excited to show this new version and where the training has led to.”
Brener last fought in August 2024, losing by third-round TKO to Spain’s Joel Alvarez. Prior to that defeat, the 27-year-old had dropped a unanimous decision to Myktybek Orolbai. The pair of defeats put an end to a five-fight winning streak for Brener.
