Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Irwin Rivera
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Not competitive as late-notice sub
Rivera lost to Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision (27-30, 26-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Jacksonville.
ANALYSIS
It's difficult to get on Rivera for his poor effort in his company debut. For one, he accepted this fight on roughly 48 hours' notice. Second, he was fighting at featherweight instead of his normal routine at bantamweight. Finally, he was about half the size of Chikadze. What Rivera did display was an excellent chin and plenty of toughness. He remained aggressive throughout the course of the fight despite being badly outclassed. Rivera's willingness to accept this fight in the first place will certainly result in him getting a second opportunity with the company. He deserves it.
It's difficult to get on Rivera for his poor effort in his company debut. For one, he accepted this fight on roughly 48 hours' notice. Second, he was fighting at featherweight instead of his normal routine at bantamweight. Finally, he was about half the size of Chikadze. What Rivera did display was an excellent chin and plenty of toughness. He remained aggressive throughout the course of the fight despite being badly outclassed. Rivera's willingness to accept this fight in the first place will certainly result in him getting a second opportunity with the company. He deserves it.
Making UFC debut Saturday
Rivera is set to fight Giga Chikadze in a featherweight matchup at UFC Fight Night on May 16 in Jacksonville, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rivera is stepping in at short notice to replace Chikadze's original opponent, Mike Davis, who withdrew as a result of issues cutting weight. The reigning Titan FC bantamweight champion will face the challenge not only of making his UFC debut at featherweight, but he'll be tasked with facing an opponent in Chikadze who boasts a six-inch height advantage and five inches superior reach. To his own credit, Rivera is coming off an impressive 2019 campaign capped by a three-win streak.
Rivera is stepping in at short notice to replace Chikadze's original opponent, Mike Davis, who withdrew as a result of issues cutting weight. The reigning Titan FC bantamweight champion will face the challenge not only of making his UFC debut at featherweight, but he'll be tasked with facing an opponent in Chikadze who boasts a six-inch height advantage and five inches superior reach. To his own credit, Rivera is coming off an impressive 2019 campaign capped by a three-win streak.