Jimmie Rivera

Jimmie Ernesto Rivera[5] (born June 29, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). Prior to signing with BKFC, Rivera competed in the UFC's Bantamweight division, and achieved status as a top 5 UFC bantamweight contender. Rivera has formerly competed for Bellator, the World Series of Fighting, CFFC and King of the Cage, where he was the KOTC Bantamweight Champion.

Jimmie Rivera
Jimmie Rivera at UFC Fight Night 143 in Brooklyn, New York, United States
BornJames Ernesto Rivera
(1989-06-29) June 29, 1989[1]
Ramsey, New Jersey, United States
Other namesEl Terror
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[2]
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionBantamweight
Featherweight
Reach68 in (173 cm)[3]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofManhattan, New York, United States
TeamTeam Tiger Schulmann
Rank3rd degree black belt in Kyokushin Karate under Tiger Schulmann[4]
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total28
Wins23
By knockout4
By submission2
By decision17
Losses5
By knockout1
By decision4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

A native of Ramsey, New Jersey, Rivera was a former Ramsey High School wrestler.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

A Tiger Schulmann MMA product, Jimmie Rivera started his career in 2007 when he was 18 years old. After compiling an undefeated 7–0 record as an amateur within only two years, he moved to professional mixed martial arts.[7]

As a professional, he fought only for New Jersey's promotion Ring of Combat before signing with Bellator in 2009.

Bellator Fighting Championships

Rivera made his debut on April 10, 2009, at Bellator 2 against Willie Gates. Rivera won via submission in the third round.[8]

Rivera faced Nick Garcia on June 12, 2009, at Bellator 11. He defeated Garcia via unanimous decision.[9]

King of the Cage

Rivera faced Abel Cullum on September 17, 2010, for the KOTC flyweight title. Rivera won via split decision (49-46 Rivera, 49-46 Rivera, 48-47 Cullum) after five rounds and became the new champion.[10]

Rivera made a title defense against Jared Papazian on February 3, 2011. After five rounds he won via unanimous decision and retained his belt.[11]

The Ultimate Fighter

Rivera appeared in the first episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller. He lost via TKO in the second round against Dennis Bermudez during the entry round.[12]

Return to Ring of Combat

Rivera returned to ROC on June 15, 2012, against Justin Hickey for the bantamweight title. He won the title via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 30–27) in a three-round match.[13]

Rivera defended his belt once against Joel Roberts on September 14, 2012.[14]

Rivera was expected to face Anthony Leone on November 18, 2011.[15] It was rescheduled to happen on April 27, 2012, but for undisclosed reasons the fight was scrapped.[16]

Second Bellator run

Rivera faced Jesse Brock on December 7, 2012, at Bellator 83. He won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 29–28).[17]

Rivera faced Brian Kelleher on April 4, 2013, at Bellator 95. He won via unanimous decision (30-27, 29–28, 29–28).[18]

World Series of Fighting

Rivera faced Sidemar Honório on September 14, 2013, at WSOF 5.[19] He was able to come through after taking a significant amount of damage in the first round, and managed to recover in the second and third rounds using his strength and wrestling skills. Rivera won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 29–28, 29–28).[20]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rivera made his promotional debut and faced Marcus Brimage on July 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 72, replacing an injured Ian Entwistle.[21] He won the fight via KO in the first round.[22]

Rivera faced Pedro Munhoz on November 7, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 77.[23] He won the fight via split decision.[24]

Rivera faced Iuri Alcântara on January 30, 2016, at UFC on Fox 18.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26] The win also earned Rivera his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[27]

Rivera faced Urijah Faber on September 10, 2016, at UFC 203.[28] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[29]

Rivera was expected to face Bryan Caraway on January 15, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 103.[30] However, Caraway pulled out of the fight citing an injury, and Rivera rejected the replacement Marlon Vera due to the lack of rank and relevance in the division.[31]

Rivera faced Thomas Almeida on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25.[32] He won the fight by unanimous decision, extending his win streak to 20.[33]

Rivera was expected to face Dominick Cruz on December 30, 2017, at UFC 219. However Cruz suffered a broken arm in training and had to pull out of the fight,[34] and he was replaced by John Lineker.[35] On December 24, Lineker pulled out of the fight citing a tooth infection.[36] After a failed negotiation with Marlon Moraes in attempt to remain on the card, Rivera announced that he will not compete at the event.[37]

Rivera faced Marlon Moraes on June 1, 2018, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 131.[38] He lost the fight by knockout in the first round due to a head kick and punches. This marked the first time Rivera has been finished in his professional MMA career.

Rivera faced John Dodson on September 8, 2018, at UFC 228.[39] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[40]

Rivera faced Aljamain Sterling on February 17, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 1.[41] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[42]

Rivera faced Petr Yan on June 8, 2019, at UFC 238.[43] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[44]

Rivera was scheduled to face Marlon Vera on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[45] However, Rivera pulled out of the fight on January 23 citing an injury. Promotion officials have not announced whether or not Vera would remain on the card against a replacement, or if the pairing with Rivera would remain intact and rescheduled for a future event.[46]

Rivera faced Cody Stamann in a featherweight bout on July 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige.[47] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[48]

A rematch against Pedro Munhoz was scheduled on January 30, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 20.[49] On December 26, it was announced that the bout was moved to January 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 20.[50] The pairing was rescheduled once again in early January as they were moved to UFC 258 on February 13, 2021, due to undisclosed reasons.[51] During the week leading up to the event, the bout was delayed again due to a positive COVID-19 test for someone within the two camps. The pairing is expected to remain intact and is tentatively expected to take place two weeks later at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane.[52] Rivera lost the fight via unanimous decision.[53] This bout earned him a Fight of the Night bonus award [54]

In August 2021, it was reported that Rivera finished his fight contract from UFC and was removed from UFC rankings pool.[55]

Bare-knuckle boxing

In November 2021, it was announced that Rivera had signed an exclusive contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.[56]

Rivera made his debut against Howard Davis on June 24, 2022, at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event.[57] The back-and-forth bout ended in a majority draw.

Personal life

It was announced that Rivera graduated from New Jersey police academy on late January 2023.[58]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
28 matches 23 wins 5 losses
By knockout 4 1
By submission 2 0
By decision 17 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 23–5 Pedro Munhoz Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane February 27, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 23–4 Cody Stamann Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige July 16, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Featherweight bout.
Loss 22–4 Petr Yan Decision (unanimous) UFC 238 June 8, 2019 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 22–3 Aljamain Sterling Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez February 17, 2019 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 22–2 John Dodson Decision (unanimous) UFC 228 September 8, 2018 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States
Loss 21–2 Marlon Moraes KO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes June 1, 2018 1 0:33 Utica, New York, United States
Win 21–1 Thomas Almeida Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum July 22, 2017 3 5:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win 20–1 Urijah Faber Decision (unanimous) UFC 203 September 10, 2016 3 5:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win 19–1 Iuri Alcântara Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader January 30, 2016 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 18–1 Pedro Munhoz Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3 November 7, 2015 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 17–1 Marcus Brimage KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites July 18, 2015 1 1:29 Glasgow, Scotland
Win 16–1 Carson Beebe KO (punch) CFFC 48: Good vs. Burrell May 9, 2015 1 0:16 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 15–1 Anthony Durnell TKO (punch) CFFC 43: Webb vs. Good November 1, 2014 3 3:22 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the vacant CFFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 14–1 Cody Stevens Decision (unanimous) CFFC 35: Heckman vs. Makashvili April 26, 2014 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 13–1 Sidemar Honório Decision (unanimous) WSOF 5 September 14, 2013 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 12–1 Brian Kelleher Decision (unanimous) Bellator 95 April 4, 2013 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (140 lbs) bout.
Win 11–1 Jesse Brock Decision (unanimous) Bellator 83 December 7, 2012 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 10–1 Joel Roberts Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 42 September 14, 2012 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 9–1 Justin Hickey Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 41 June 15, 2012 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Jared Papazian Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Empire February 3, 2011 5 5:00 San Bernardino, California, United States Defended the KOTC Flyweight (135 lbs) Championship.
Win 7–1 Abel Cullum Decision (split) KOTC: No Mercy September 17, 2010 5 5:00 Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States Won the KOTC Flyweight (135 lbs) Championship.
Win 6–1 Carlos David KO (punches) Ring of Combat 29 April 16, 2010 2 2:59 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 5–1 Claudio Ledesma Decision (unanimous) UCC 1: Merciless March 19, 2010 3 5:00 Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Win 4–1 Nick Garcia Decision (unanimous) Bellator 11 June 12, 2009 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 3–1 Willie Gates Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 2 April 10, 2009 3 3:17 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 2–1 Tyler Venice Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 23 February 20, 2009 2 1:13 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bantamweight debut.
Loss 1–1 Jason McLean Decision (split) Ring of Combat 22 November 21, 2008 3 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.
Win 1–0 Fernando Bernandino Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 21 September 12, 2008 2 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.

Mixed martial arts exhibition record
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Dennis Bermudez TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller September 21, 2011 (airdate) 2 1:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Preliminary bout.

[62]

Bare knuckle boxing record
Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 0 losses
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Draw 0–0–1 Howard Davis draw(majority) BKFC 26: Hollywood June 24, 2022 5 2:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States

See also

References
  1. Jimmie Rivera's profile Bellator.com
  2. "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Bisping vs. Leites". UFC.com. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  3. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  4. "Jimmie Rivera | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  5. "MIXED MARTIAL ARTS RESULTS : SEASON 14 – THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER" (PDF). Boxing.nv.gov. Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas. June 7, 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  6. "UFC: Ramsey native Jimmie Rivera on the UFC stage at Prudential".
  7. Jimmie Rivera's mixed martial arts record Mixedmartialarts.com
  8. Bellator II live results by Craig Jolicoeur (Bleacherreport.com) on April 10, 2009
  9. Bellator XI results and play-by-play by Chris Nelson (Bloodyelbow.com) on June 13, 2009
  10. KOTC: “No Mercy” live play-by-play & results by Robert Sargent (MMArising.com) on September 17, 2010
  11. King of the Cage "Empire" results Archived 2011-03-17 at the Wayback Machine Kingofthecage.com
  12. Episode No. 1 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 14: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller' by Dann Stupp (MMAjunkie.com) on September 21, 2011
  13. Uriah Hall, Jimmie Rivera win titles at Ring of Combat 41 by Bob Badders (MMAdiehards.com) on June 16, 2012
  14. Jimmie Rivera retains 135-pound strap, Ed Gordon drops LHW belt at ROC 42 by Lutfi Sariahmed (Sherdog.com) on September 15, 2012
  15. Ring of Combat 38: Jimmie Rivera vs. Anthony Leone Tapology.com
  16. Ring of Combat 40: Anthony Leone vs. Jimmie Rivera Tapology.com
  17. Bellator 83 results: live play-by-play & updates Sherdog.com (December 7, 2012)
  18. Bellator 95 results: Curran vs. Shamhalaev by Mike Chiappetta (MMAfighting.com) on April 4, 2013
  19. "WSOF 5 lineup set with addition of Glenn vs. Rofi, Dugulubgov vs. Osbourne, more". mmajunkie.com. August 26, 2013.
  20. World Series of Fighting 5 results: Arlovski edges Kyle MMAjunkie.com (September 14, 2013)
  21. Staff (2015-07-01). "Jimmie Rivera replaces Entwistle, meets Marcus Brimage at UFC Fight Night 72". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  22. Steven Marrocco (2015-07-18). "UFC Fight Night 72 results: Jimmie Rivera shines in UFC debut, stops Marcus Brimage". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  23. Tristen Critchfield (2015-09-16). "Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera added to UFC Fight Night in Sao Paulo". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  24. Ben Fowlkes (2015-11-07). "UFC Fight Night 77 results: Jimmie Rivera takes split decision from Pedro Munhoz". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  25. Staff (2015-12-23). "UFC on FOX 18 gets two new bouts, one injury replacement". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
  26. Ben Fowlkes (2016-01-30). "UFC on FOX 18 results: Jimmie Rivera decisions Iuri Alcantara in entertaining brawl". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  27. Staff (2016-01-30). "UFC on FOX 18 bonuses: Jimmie Rivera, Iuri Alcantara cash in for 'Fight of the Night'". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  28. Damon Martin (2016-07-12). "Urijah Faber meets Jimmie Rivera at UFC 203 in Cleveland". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  29. Damon Martin (2016-09-10). "Jimmie Rivera earns biggest career win with decision over Urijah Faber". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-09-10.
  30. Damon Martin (2016-11-29). "Jimmie Rivera vs. Bryan Caraway likely for UFC Fight Night in Phoenix". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  31. John Morgan (2017-01-08). "Jimmie Rivera withdraws from UFC Fight Night 103 after picking Marlon Vera over John Dodson". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
  32. Mark La Monica (2017-05-09). "Jimmie Rivera vs. Thomas Almeida booked for UFC on Fox 25 on Long Island". newsday.com. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  33. "UFC on FOX 25 results: Jimmie Rivera's winning streak at 20 after decision vs. Thomas Almeida". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  34. Dana Becker (2017-09-27). "First three fights announced for UFC 219". fightline.com. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  35. "John Lineker steps in to face Jimmie Rivera at UFC 219". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-11-22.
  36. "John Lineker out of UFC 219 fight with Jimmie Rivera". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
  37. Staff (2017-12-26). "After Marlon Moraes drama, Jimmie Rivera apparently throws in towel on UFC 219". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
  38. Ariel Helwani (2018-02-23). "Jimmie Rivera vs. Marlon Moraes in the works for UFN Utica main event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  39. "Jimmie Rivera vs John Dodson Set For UFC 228".
  40. "UFC 228 results: Jimmie Rivera takes tedious decision over John Dodson". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-09. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  41. DNA, MMA (12 December 2018). "Lang verwachte partij tussen Jimmie Rivera en Aljamain Sterling tijdens UFC Phoenix". Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  42. "UFC on ESPN 1 results: Aljamain Sterling scintillating, shuts out Jimmie Rivera". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-18. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  43. Staff (2019-04-04). "Jimmie Rivera vs. Petr Yan targeted for UFC 238". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  44. "UFC 238 results: Petr Yan nearly finishes Jimmie Rivera twice, calls for title shot". MMA Junkie. 2019-06-09. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  45. Tristen Critchfield (2019-12-07). "Jimmie Rivera, Marlon Vera agree to bantamweight showdown at UFC 247". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  46. Nolan King (2020-01-23). "Jimmie Rivera injured, out of UFC 247 fight vs. Marlon Vera". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  47. Mike Heck (2020-07-07). "Jimmie Rivera vs. Cody Stamann added to July 15 UFC event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  48. Doherty, Dan (2020-07-15). "UFC Fight Island 1 Results: Jimmie Rivera Wins Grueling Fight Against Cody Stamann". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  49. "Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera 2 added to UFC Fight Night on Jan. 30". MMA Junkie. 2020-11-21. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  50. Aaron Malone (2020-12-23). "Mike Jackson makes UFC return following CM Punk win, Fight Island card scrapped - Fight announcement roundup". fightful.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  51. Mike Heck and Guilherme Cruz (2021-01-07). "Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera rematch rescheduled for UFC 258". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  52. Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz (2021-02-09). "Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera off UFC 258, fight to be rescheduled for later date". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  53. Gibbons, Justin (2021-02-27). "UFC Vegas 20 Results: Pedro Munhoz's Calf Kicks Crucial in Decision Over Rivera". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  54. Haynes, Stephie (27 February 2021). "UFC Vegas 20 bonuses: Munhoz-Rivera take FOTN honors". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  55. Simon, Zane (2021-08-23). "Demian Maia removed from UFC roster after fighting out contract". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  56. Evan Wheeler (November 2, 2021). "Jimmie Rivera Signs With BKFC". Fightful.com. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  57. "Ex-UFC contender Jimmie Rivera to make BKFC debut vs. Howard Davis on June 24". MMA Junkie. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
  58. "UFC veteran Jimmie Rivera graduates from New Jersey police academy". MMA Junkie. 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  59. "Lyman Good faces undefeated Jonavin Webb for CFFC Welterweight Championship at CFFC 43". CFFC.tv. October 21, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  60. C.J. Tuttle (November 1, 2014). "Good-Webb Welterweight Title Bout Ends in Controversial No Contest at CFFC 43". sherdog.com.
  61. Eddie Goldman (May 10, 2015). "CFFC 48 Official Weights, Results, Suspensions and Staff". adcombat.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  62. Sherdog.com. "Jimmie". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
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