It’s been well documented that Jimmie Rivera was scheduled to take on former champion Dominick Cruz at this weekend’s UFC 219 event. Once Cruz suffered an injury, John Lineker stepped up to accept the fight against Rivera.
Just last week, it was reported that Lineker has also suffered an injury that has forced him off the card as well.
Now, Rivera is saying he’d be willing to fight in a 138-pound catchweight contest to make it happen against top prospect and former WSOF Champion Marlon Moraes.
“Marlon, let’s do the fight at 140,” Rivera said in a video posted on Twitter. “You said you wanted the fight. Got to be professional. I’m giving you four pounds. 140. Let me know.”
.@MMARLONMORAES @ufc pic.twitter.com/mZEQrAGSir
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
Moraes’ manager, Ali Abdelaziz, then made his feelings known on the 138-pound offer quite clear on Twitter by writing the following:
It happens man, hope you have a speedy recovery
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
Unfortunately, It seems negotiations aren’t exactly heading in the right direction.
I give you 5 extra fucking pounds and you can’t make weight? @MMARLONMORAES you still say no to the fight. Five extra pounds. And this after you say you want to fight me.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
Shut up punk Stop playing games with the fan you not too smart
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) December 25, 2017
“Merry Christmas everybody! @JimmieRivera135 now you fight on my terms. You turn down fight with me two times now I’m ready to fight you buddy on my terms not your terms I’m going to remind you of old memories you know what I’m sayin @danawhite @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2.”
Merry Christmas everybody! @JimmieRivera135 now you fight on my terms. You turn down fight with me two times now I’m ready to fight you buddy on my terms not your terms I’m going to remind you of old memories you know what I’m sayin @danawhite @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2 pic.twitter.com/PWQJn0dikM
— Marlon Moraes (@MMARLONMORAES) December 25, 2017
UFC 219 is set to take place on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card will air on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET while the preliminary card will air on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET and the promotion’s streaming service, UFC Fight Pass, at 7 p.m. ET.
Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm for the UFC female featherweight title will serve as the headliner while Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza in a lightweight bout will serve as the co-main event. Rounding out the five-bout card is Jimmie Rivera vs. TBA in a bantamweight bout, Carla Esparza vs. Cynthia Calvillo in a women’s strawweight bout, and Carlos Condit vs. Neil Magny in a welterweight bout.
MAIN CARD (PPV/10 p.m. ET)
UFC Female Featherweight Championship: Cris Cyborg (c) vs. Holly Holm
Lightweight: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza
Bantamweight: Jimmie Rivera vs. TBA
Strawweight: Carla Esparza vs. Cynthia Calvillo
Welterweight: Carlos Condit vs. Neil Magny
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1/8 p.m. ET)
Light Heavyweight: Michal Oleksijczyk vs. Khalil Rountree
Lightweight: Dan Hooker vs. Marc Diakiese
Featherweight: Myles Jury vs. Rick Glenn
Flyweight: Louis Smolka vs. Matheus Nicolau
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass/7 p.m. ET)
Middleweight: Marvin Vettori vs. Omari Akhmedov
Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Mark De La Rosa
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