NEWARK, N.J. – Claudio Ribeiro beat Joseph Holmes with a second-round TKO Saturday to open up the preliminary card at UFC 288 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Take a look inside the fight with Ribeiro, who rebounded from a loss in his UFC debut to put Holmes away.
Ribeiro on the fight’s key moment
May 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Joseph Holmes (red gloves) fights Claudio Ribeiro (blue gloves) during UFC 288 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
“This is something that we train a lot, and this is something we plan for. I had five minutes to knock him out in the first round. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do it, but we kept working at it and second round, the knockout came.”
Ribeiro on taking the fight despite Holmes’ missed weight
May 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Joseph Holmes (red gloves) fights Claudio Ribeiro (blue gloves) during UFC 288 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
“I came all the way from Brazil. I came here to fight. I mean, if he doesn’t make weight, that’s lack of professionalism on this part. But I’m here to work and I’m here to fight. He’s going to miss a little bit of his money that’s going to come to me. But hey, I came here to fight, and I’m going to fight.”
Ribeiro on what he wants next
May 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Claudio Ribeiro (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Joseph Holmes (red gloves) during UFC 288 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
“Whoever the UFC puts in front of me, I’m here. Just let them know that Claudio’s here, and I’m up for it. Dana (White), send me some people.”
To hear more from Ribeiro, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.