Former UFC Bantamweight contender, Jimmie Rivera graduated from the Police Academy and is now in service. The 33-year-old former fighter had achieved a top 5 contender spot in the bantamweight division with victories over notable fighters.
Jimmie Rivera appeared in his first promotional debut in the UFC at Fight Night in 2015. The fighter scored a victory against Marcus Brimage. Rivera’s UFC resume has victories over fighters like Pedro Munhoz, Urijah Faber, Iuri Alcantara, Thomas Almeida, John Dodson, and Cody Stamannn.
Former UFC fighter Jimmie Rivera graduated from the police academy pic.twitter.com/wEdqpE4Qr9
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) January 27, 2023
Damn, when did he retire from mma? I knew he was released from the ufc but didn’t know he gave it up all together
— Jamie (@averagechats) January 27, 2023
It’s hard to make a living as a cage fighter when you’re not in a major organization
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) January 27, 2023
Fans have been confused about the fighter’s release from the UFC and his joining into the Police force. Following recent losses against Marlon Moraes, Petr Yan, and Aljamain Sterling, Rivera was released from the UFC. Later, to join Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
“It’s hard to make a living as a cage fighter when you’re not in a major organization,” MMA reporter, Alex Behunin replied to a fan on Twitter.
Throwback to when Jimmie Rivera almost defeated former Bantamweight Champion, Petr Yan
At UFC 238, Jimmie Rivera (23-5) and Petr Yan (16-4) were scheduled to fight at bantamweight. The betting odds opened with Rivera as the underdog and Yan as the betting favorite.
The matchup was important for both fighters as it meant not just moving up in the rankings, but also getting a potential title shot. The fight was a fireworks show and a close one as fans would recall.
By the end of the third round, Rivera was in advantage in terms of total strikes landed as well as significant strikes. Yan was ahead in terms of round and had even scored a takedown and a knockdown.
Yan was declared the winner by a split decision. Some fans believed that Rivera was robbed while others believe that the fighter was a potential contender and that UFC could have tried harder to keep him around.
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