Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Irwin Rivera
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Next fight on books
Rivera (hand) is scheduled to square off against Andre Ewell in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on Sept. 19, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Despite emerging with his first career UFC win in mid-August, Rivera was given a 180-day medical suspension following his clash with Ali Qaisi with a potential right hand injury. He's obviously been cleared of any lingering concerns and will now prepare for a fight versus an opponent in Ewell who sports a massive seven-inch reach advantage to go along with two inches of height. Given that Ewell wants to stay upright, Rivera may need to look for an opportunity to get in some takedowns if he wants to keep on a winning track. While it's been better of late, Ewell sports just a 66 percent takedown defense after he was taken down seven times in his first three fights.
Despite emerging with his first career UFC win in mid-August, Rivera was given a 180-day medical suspension following his clash with Ali Qaisi with a potential right hand injury. He's obviously been cleared of any lingering concerns and will now prepare for a fight versus an opponent in Ewell who sports a massive seven-inch reach advantage to go along with two inches of height. Given that Ewell wants to stay upright, Rivera may need to look for an opportunity to get in some takedowns if he wants to keep on a winning track. While it's been better of late, Ewell sports just a 66 percent takedown defense after he was taken down seven times in his first three fights.
180-day medical suspension
Rivera received a 180-day medical suspension after defeating Ali Qaisi last Saturday, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rivera was able to get by via split decision. He must get an x-ray of his right hand and wrist and if positive must have an orthopedic doctor clear him. Rivera also had a possible left eye corneal abrasion. If unable to get cleared, Rivera will have to sit out until February 5, 2021.
Rivera was able to get by via split decision. He must get an x-ray of his right hand and wrist and if positive must have an orthopedic doctor clear him. Rivera also had a possible left eye corneal abrasion. If unable to get cleared, Rivera will have to sit out until February 5, 2021.
Gets by debuting fighter
Rivera defeated Ali Qaisi via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC on ESPN+ 32 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Rivera was a bit overmatched in his UFC debut in a short-notice fight against a much larger fighter in Giga Chikadze, but he was back at his natural weight class of bantamweight in this one. He ended up cashing the ticket as roughly a (-170) betting favorite, but it wasn't one that came easy. Rivera was outlanded in terms of significant strikes in each of the three rounds and ended up with a total of 36 (compared to Qaisi's 44). Both men secured two takedowns in the fight as well. Rivera ended up with the seemingly more damaging shots, however, which was enough to get the nod from the judges. Nonetheless, those who rostered him daily formats will likely be unhappy with the overall score.
Rivera was a bit overmatched in his UFC debut in a short-notice fight against a much larger fighter in Giga Chikadze, but he was back at his natural weight class of bantamweight in this one. He ended up cashing the ticket as roughly a (-170) betting favorite, but it wasn't one that came easy. Rivera was outlanded in terms of significant strikes in each of the three rounds and ended up with a total of 36 (compared to Qaisi's 44). Both men secured two takedowns in the fight as well. Rivera ended up with the seemingly more damaging shots, however, which was enough to get the nod from the judges. Nonetheless, those who rostered him daily formats will likely be unhappy with the overall score.
Draws newcomer for August fight
Rivera (undisclosed) is scheduled to face Ali Alqaisi in a bantamweight fight Aug. 8 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Farah Hannoun of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Rivera will step back into the Octagon after he was dealt a medical suspension in the aftermath of his unanimous-decision loss to Giga Chikadze at the UFC event in Jacksonville on May 16. Now healthy again, Rivera will take on a UFC newcomer in Alqaisi, who sports a career 8-3-0 MMA record.
Rivera will step back into the Octagon after he was dealt a medical suspension in the aftermath of his unanimous-decision loss to Giga Chikadze at the UFC event in Jacksonville on May 16. Now healthy again, Rivera will take on a UFC newcomer in Alqaisi, who sports a career 8-3-0 MMA record.
Handed six-month suspension
Rivera has been given a six-month medical suspension following his loss to Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night in Jacksonville, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rivera wasn't competitive in his UFC debut, but it's worth noting that the deck was stacked against him. He was given just 48 hours' notice as a replacement fighter, facing a massive six-inch height disadvantage, and tasked with debuting at featherweight rather than his usual bantamweight. The 31-year-old will look to log a stronger performance during his second showing, though he'll have to wait up to six months to re-enter the Octagon, unless he's cleared earlier by a physician.
Rivera wasn't competitive in his UFC debut, but it's worth noting that the deck was stacked against him. He was given just 48 hours' notice as a replacement fighter, facing a massive six-inch height disadvantage, and tasked with debuting at featherweight rather than his usual bantamweight. The 31-year-old will look to log a stronger performance during his second showing, though he'll have to wait up to six months to re-enter the Octagon, unless he's cleared earlier by a physician.