Bantamweight veteran Francisco Rivera looks to snap a two-fight losing skid against Erik Perez at UFC 201 on July 30th.
Despite four losses in his last five fights, bantamweight veteran Francisco Rivera will be getting another UFC fight, and it will be on July 30th in Atlanta, Georgia. UFC officials confirmed (following a report from La Aficion) on Tuesday that Rivera (11-6, 1 NC) will face Erik Perez (15-6) at UFC 201.
Rivera is coming off a fairly controversial split decision loss to Brad Pickett on the main card opener at UFC London on February 27th. The 34-year-old also lost an incredibly thrilling 128 second bout vs. John Lineker, which ended in a guillotine choke after some outrageously violent swinging. Rivera’s only win in his last 5 is a quick KO vs. Alex Caceres, which happened in June 2015.
Perez debuted in the UFC as a touted prospect with a record of 10-4. He won his first 3 fights by 1st round stoppage before losing a split decision to Takeya Mizugaki. After beating Edwin Figueroa, the 26-year-old suffered a submission loss to Bryan Caraway in early 2014. He didn’t compete again until November 2015, when “Goyito” returned to his native Mexico and won a unanimous decision over Taylor Lapilus in Monterrey.
UFC 201 is headlined by a pair of championship bouts, with welterweight title holder Robbie Lawler taking on Tyron Woodley in the main event, and flyweight king Demetrious Johnson battling Brazil’s Wilson Reis in the co-main event.