Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Jorge ‘El Conquistador’ Rivera (18-9) is starting to feel his age with just over a month before his fortieth birthday.
Rivera started his mma career back in 2001, losing his first fight via corner stoppage. He would then go on to win five straight and earn his way into the Octagon, debuting at UFC 44 in September 2003. At the Las Vegas event, Rivera would earn a unanimous decision win over opponent David Loiseau beginning ‘El Conquestador’s’ first of four runs with the worlds top promotion.
In his most recent stint with the UFC, Rivera has fought nine times and will face Eric Schafer tonight in Nashville, Tennessee as part of the UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller event.
Speaking to MMAjunkie.com Radio, Rivera promised that win or lose he is done after tonight’s bout.
“I’ve thought about this for a long time,” Rivera said. “If I would have won my last fight, I would have walked away. But that’s not how it worked out, and I just told myself I would leave no matter what happens.
“It’s time to go. I’m starting to feel like that old man in the club trying to pick up chicks. It gets a little creepy after a while.”
“I’ve had a great time,” he said. “I absolutely love the fans. I love everything about this job. It’s going to be hard to be away from it. And I hope to be back cornering somebody else, but this will be the last time I fight.”
Rivera is currently on a two fight losing skid having lost a split decision to Constantinos Philippou lat August at UFC 133 and a second round TKO defeat at the hands of Michael Bisping at UFC 127. Overall in the Octagon he’s managed to put together a career record of 7-7.