Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jimmie Rivera
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Looking to bounce back
Rivera will face Petr Yan in a bantamweight matchup at UFC 238 in Chicago on June 8, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
This will be a critical fight for Rivera after losing two of his past three bouts, and most recently losing by unanimous decision to Aljamain Sterling at UFC on ESPN 1. He's essentially fallen to "gatekeeper" status during that stretch, as the promotion will now throw him a red-hot prospect. The 26-year-old Yan has won his past seven fights and will be hoping to use a win over Rivera to leverage a more high-profile opportunity in the near future. Yan will enter the cage the taller man, but it will be Rivera with a slight reach advantage.
This will be a critical fight for Rivera after losing two of his past three bouts, and most recently losing by unanimous decision to Aljamain Sterling at UFC on ESPN 1. He's essentially fallen to "gatekeeper" status during that stretch, as the promotion will now throw him a red-hot prospect. The 26-year-old Yan has won his past seven fights and will be hoping to use a win over Rivera to leverage a more high-profile opportunity in the near future. Yan will enter the cage the taller man, but it will be Rivera with a slight reach advantage.
Suspended 180 days after Phoenix loss
Rivera has been suspended 180 days pending medical clearance by the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rivera lost the striking battle badly in this one, as Sterling dealt him a balanced attack of 36 significant strikes to the head, 39 to the body and 26 to the legs. While no specific injury was disclosed, the bantamweight contender will now be sidelined until a physician gives him the OK to return to competition. Rivera is now 1-2 in his last three fights after starting off with five-straight UFC wins.
Rivera lost the striking battle badly in this one, as Sterling dealt him a balanced attack of 36 significant strikes to the head, 39 to the body and 26 to the legs. While no specific injury was disclosed, the bantamweight contender will now be sidelined until a physician gives him the OK to return to competition. Rivera is now 1-2 in his last three fights after starting off with five-straight UFC wins.
Struggle to solve Aljamain Sterling
Rivera lost to Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC on ESPN 1 on Sunday in Phoenix.
ANALYSIS
Rivera was really thrown off by Sterling's unique style. The kicking attacks really gave Rivera a lot of trouble. He could not close the distance to land his strikes. He spent most of the fight trying to track Sterling around the cage and defending takedowns. While Sterling came into this fight with a solid gameplan, Rivera looked like he was not sure how to get to his offense. He began his career with a 21-1 record, but he has now lost two of his last three fights in the UFC.
Rivera was really thrown off by Sterling's unique style. The kicking attacks really gave Rivera a lot of trouble. He could not close the distance to land his strikes. He spent most of the fight trying to track Sterling around the cage and defending takedowns. While Sterling came into this fight with a solid gameplan, Rivera looked like he was not sure how to get to his offense. He began his career with a 21-1 record, but he has now lost two of his last three fights in the UFC.
Draws Aljamain Sterling in Phoenix
Rivera will take on Aljamain Sterling in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Phoenix on Feb. 17.
ANALYSIS
Rivera had been cruising to a title shot before a Marlon Moraes head kick abruptly ended those hopes back in June. He bounced back quickly with a victory over John Dodson in September, and will keep his pace high with a matchup against Sterling in early-2019. Sterling also has a stoppage loss to Moraes on his resume, and has been a bit let consistent throughout his UFC tenure. Both men are high-volume strikers with positive striking differentials, which makes this a pretty fantasy-friendly matchup on paper. Sterling does have a wrestling aspect to his game, but may not be able to use it given the fact that Rivera has never been taken down in seven UFC fights.
Rivera had been cruising to a title shot before a Marlon Moraes head kick abruptly ended those hopes back in June. He bounced back quickly with a victory over John Dodson in September, and will keep his pace high with a matchup against Sterling in early-2019. Sterling also has a stoppage loss to Moraes on his resume, and has been a bit let consistent throughout his UFC tenure. Both men are high-volume strikers with positive striking differentials, which makes this a pretty fantasy-friendly matchup on paper. Sterling does have a wrestling aspect to his game, but may not be able to use it given the fact that Rivera has never been taken down in seven UFC fights.
Gets back on track with a victory over former title challenger at UFC 228
Rivera defeated John Dodson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 228 on Saturday in Dallas.
ANALYSIS
In a night full of exciting fights, this one was a bit of a let down. Rivera showed off slick boxing and a lead leg kick. That was enough to take the decision over Dodson. As per usual, Dodson was on his bicycle and sticking to the outside. However, he was rarely able to enter the range, because Rivera was controlling the distance with his kicks and feints. As previously mentioned, this was not the most exciting fight, but Rivera needed the win to get back on track. He picked up the win and now moves forward.
In a night full of exciting fights, this one was a bit of a let down. Rivera showed off slick boxing and a lead leg kick. That was enough to take the decision over Dodson. As per usual, Dodson was on his bicycle and sticking to the outside. However, he was rarely able to enter the range, because Rivera was controlling the distance with his kicks and feints. As previously mentioned, this was not the most exciting fight, but Rivera needed the win to get back on track. He picked up the win and now moves forward.