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Still searching for first UFC win
Rivera lost to Zhalgas Zhumagulov via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:02 of Round 1 at UFC 264 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Rivera was gifted another opportunity by UFC management and was unable to take advantage. The New Mexico native originally earned his opportunity with the company following a unanimous decision win on Dana White's Contender Series back in August 2020, but he has since gone on to lose each of his first four UFC bouts, with three of them coming via stoppage. Rivera has been unable to get out of Round 1 in each of his past two fights. It would appear to be a near certainty that tonight was Rivera's final bout with the company.
Rivera was gifted another opportunity by UFC management and was unable to take advantage. The New Mexico native originally earned his opportunity with the company following a unanimous decision win on Dana White's Contender Series back in August 2020, but he has since gone on to lose each of his first four UFC bouts, with three of them coming via stoppage. Rivera has been unable to get out of Round 1 in each of his past two fights. It would appear to be a near certainty that tonight was Rivera's final bout with the company.
Set to face Zhumagulov on July 10
Rivera will fight Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC 264 on July 10, MMA DNA reports.
ANALYSIS
Rivera is still searching for his first UFC victory after losing to Ode Osbourne via KO (punch) in Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 6. Zhumagulov will also be looking to capture his first UFC win, as the flyweight previously lost to Amir Albazi at UFC 257 on Jan. 23.
Rivera is still searching for his first UFC victory after losing to Ode Osbourne via KO (punch) in Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 6. Zhumagulov will also be looking to capture his first UFC win, as the flyweight previously lost to Amir Albazi at UFC 257 on Jan. 23.
Still searching for first UFC win
Rivera lost to Ode Osbourne via KO (punch) at 0:26 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Rivera is now 0-3 in the UFC. The most impressive aspect of all is the fact each of his three losses have come in different weight classes. Saturday's setback came at 145 pounds. He attempted a high kick which came nowhere close to finding it's mark, and Osbourne responded with a straight left hand that ended Rivera's evening almost immediately. Rivera won't turn 26 years of age until late-April, but it's going to be nearly impossible for the company to run him out there again. There just isn't much to work with here.
Rivera is now 0-3 in the UFC. The most impressive aspect of all is the fact each of his three losses have come in different weight classes. Saturday's setback came at 145 pounds. He attempted a high kick which came nowhere close to finding it's mark, and Osbourne responded with a straight left hand that ended Rivera's evening almost immediately. Rivera won't turn 26 years of age until late-April, but it's going to be nearly impossible for the company to run him out there again. There just isn't much to work with here.
Facing Osbourne at featherweight
Rivera will fight Ode Osbourne in a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
The pair were originally slated to face off in a flyweight bout Jan. 20, but Rivera ended up facing Francisco Figueiredo instead and losing via unanimous decision. Osbourne hasn't been in the Octagon since January 2020, when he lost to Brian Kelleher via submission. It'll be a quick shift to featherweight for Rivera, since he'll be less than three weeks removed from the flyweight loss to Figueiredo.
The pair were originally slated to face off in a flyweight bout Jan. 20, but Rivera ended up facing Francisco Figueiredo instead and losing via unanimous decision. Osbourne hasn't been in the Octagon since January 2020, when he lost to Brian Kelleher via submission. It'll be a quick shift to featherweight for Rivera, since he'll be less than three weeks removed from the flyweight loss to Figueiredo.
Late charge not enough
Rivera lost to Francisco Figueiredo via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Island 8 on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Rivera was taken down around the midway point of Round 1, but being a massive flyweight (5-foot-10), he was able to use his length to keep his guard up and limit Figueiredo's ground-and-pound. This will be a strength moving forward, as you can see the potential for him to generate offense off his back. He again found himself with his back to the mat in Round 2, and while he was able to connect with some elbows, it's still not a position you want to be in for too long. Rivera was able to get back to the feet with two minutes left, and he even had Figueiredo pressed up against the cage a bit, where he connected with a few foot stomps. Still, he likely entered the third in need of a finish. While his corner pleaded with him to work, Rivera was neutralized by Figueiredo initiating and holding clinch situations. There was time for Rivera to generate a late flurry in which he connected several times, but he foolishly held on to a headlock that slowed his momentum and got things back to a neutral position. Despite the loss, Rivera is a uniquely long flyweight at the age of just 25, so there's plenty of time to improve his Fight IQ and hone his overall skillset.
Rivera was taken down around the midway point of Round 1, but being a massive flyweight (5-foot-10), he was able to use his length to keep his guard up and limit Figueiredo's ground-and-pound. This will be a strength moving forward, as you can see the potential for him to generate offense off his back. He again found himself with his back to the mat in Round 2, and while he was able to connect with some elbows, it's still not a position you want to be in for too long. Rivera was able to get back to the feet with two minutes left, and he even had Figueiredo pressed up against the cage a bit, where he connected with a few foot stomps. Still, he likely entered the third in need of a finish. While his corner pleaded with him to work, Rivera was neutralized by Figueiredo initiating and holding clinch situations. There was time for Rivera to generate a late flurry in which he connected several times, but he foolishly held on to a headlock that slowed his momentum and got things back to a neutral position. Despite the loss, Rivera is a uniquely long flyweight at the age of just 25, so there's plenty of time to improve his Fight IQ and hone his overall skillset.