Jimmie Rivera was left without an opponents for this weekends UFC 219 event after John Lineker withdrew from their contest due to injury.
However, former WSOF Bantamweight Champion Marlon Moraes has reportedly agreed to fight Rivera on less than a weeks’ notice.
Bloody Elbow first reported the news and got the following statement from Rivera:
“(The fight will happen) if Marlon says yes. I’m ready to sign.”
Jimmie Rivera also said the following via Twitter:
I accept the fight with @MMARLONMORAES and even give him two pound allowance at 138lb #merrychristmas #ufc219
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
Rivera (21-1-0) is currently undefeated in UFC competition, defeating Marcus Brimage, Pedro Munhoz, Iuri Alcantara, Urijah Faber and Thomas Almeida. Rivera hasn’t suffered a loss in over nine years and that lone defeat came to Jason McLean at Ring Of Combat 22. Rivera has seen his last four fights go the distance and it has been over two years since the last time the fighter got a finish.
Moraes (20-5-1) is coming off of the second win of his UFC tenure, which came via knee strike knockout against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Fight Night Fresno. Moraes was the first and only WSOF Bantamweight Champion, defeating Josh Rettinghouse to win the gold at the WSOF 9. If Moraes were to win the fight against Rivera, it would be his third win in the UFC in just over two months.
UFC 219 takes place on Saturday, December 30 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Holly Holm and Cyborg headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
