On Feb. 27 in Sydney, Australia UFC middleweights Jorge “El Conquistador” Rivera (19-7) and Michael “The Count” Bisping will meet in the co-main event of UFC 127.
Rivera, who has had two fights with Alessio Sakara scrapped due to injury and illness, hasn’t fought since March of 2010. “El Conquistador” is looking to make it four wins in a row by defeating Bisping at the end of this month and wants feels the Brit better be ready for him or “he’s gonna be fucked.” Rivera pushed the UFC into giving him this fight, so sparks should fly on Feb. 27 once both men enter the octagon.
He recently spoke to TheGarv.com about his upcoming fight.
The war of words is already heating up between you and Michael Bisping. Any bad blood there or just hyping the fight?
Jorge Rivera: In all honesty, man, this is the fight that I wanted. I was told that his camp might not want to take it or whatever so I did what I had to do to get him to sign that fight. I think it’s gonna be a good fight.
How do you see your fight going?
JR: I expect him to talk and say he’s gonna want to stand. But I think as soon as I hit him hard he’s gonna want to take me down and play the top game, work his ground and pound. Maybe run and try to gas me out. He’ll do things that I think would be smart on his behalf to do. So that’s what I’m expecting from him. If he gives me something else, great. The thing that I really want to do, to be very honest with you, is to give the fans a real exciting fight. If he comes out and wants to stand and trade with me, if I knock him out, boom, that’s exactly what I wanted. If he knocks me out, fuck it, so be it. Let the fans enjoy it. I just don’t see it going down that way.
You’re on a 3 fight win streak. Do you feel that you are starting to get recognition from the UFC and the fans?
JR: I hope so. If it hasn’t happened yet I hope it happens after this fight. When I first got into the UFC I was just happy being there. I know this is gonna sound crazy, but I was just happy fighting and being there. In the past couple of years, I realized that this is how I make my living and this is what I want to do. I want to make a statement and a mark before my time is up. And that’s what I’m doing. I’m not playing around. I’m coming for this kid. And if he’s taking me lightly, he’s gonna be fucked.
Rivera owns wins over Nate Quarry by TKO at UFN 21, Rob Kimmons by TKO at UFC 104, and a split decision over Nissen Osterneck at UFN 18. His overall record in the UFC is 7-5.