UFC Utica: Marlon Moraes and Jimmie Rivera duel for bantamweight title shot

The winner of the fight between M. Moraes (R) and J. Rivera (L) could be the next challenger for the bantamweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram UFC

After many weeks of teasing and anticipation for the confrontation, the final chapter is finally arriving. Marlon moraes e Jimmie rivera face each other in the main fight of UFC Utica this Friday (01). The fighters will meet and resolve past issues in the octagon.

Furthermore, the winner of the clash could be the next challenger for the bantamweight belt. TJ Dillashaw, current champion, defends his title in a rematch with cody garbrandt at UFC 227 on August 4.

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UFC Utica is the first event in the city of New York state. The card will have 13 clashes, six in the main program and seven in the preliminary. In addition to Brazilian Marlon moraes on the main card, Gleison Tibau and Johnny Eduardo complete the Canarian team in the preliminary event.

For the evening's co-main event, Gregor Gillespie faces Vinc Pichel due to the light weight. The following fighters are also part of the main card: Jake ellenberger who fights Ben Saunders and Gian Villante face Sam alvey.

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The main fight

The first chapter of the story begins in 2017, after John Lineker had a health problem, on the eve of the clash against Rivera. Moraes offered to be the substitute, but with little training time, Marlon reversed his proposal.

At the time, the American declared that Moraes could enter the Octagon with a four-kilo advantage, if he preferred, but the duel was not held.

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At the beginning of 2018, Jimmie rivera refused a proposal to fight against Marlon moraes. This Friday, the fighters have no more excuses and will face each other in Utica, United States.

The clash between the fighters means much more than provocations, the winner could be the next challenger for the bantamweight belt.

Marlon moraes was hired in 2017 after defending the World Series of Fighting bantamweight belt five times. The Brazilian debuted with a defeat against the TOP 5 in the category, Raphael Assunção. With the setback, Moraes lost his five-year unbeaten run.

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At 30 years old, Marlon has a record of 26 fights with 20 wins, five losses and one draw. In his last fight, the Brazilian impressed the UFC by knocking out Aljmain Sterling with a knee.

On the other side, the North American opponent has maintained its unbeaten record since 2008. Jimmie rivera He has a record of 22 fights with 21 wins and just one loss. Against the Brazilians in the UFC, Rivera had a good record, as he beat ‘Thominhas’ Almeida, Peter Munhoz and Iuri ‘Marajó’ Alcântara.

Brazilians on the preliminary card, Johnny Eduardo and Gleison Tibau

Bantamweight J. Eduardo faces UFC newcomer, Nathaniel Wood. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram Johnny Eduardo

Brazilian athletes are also part of the UFC Utica main card. The first fighter to enter the Ultimate Octagon this Friday (01) is bantamweight Johnny Eduardo. He faces the UFC newcomer, Nathaniel Wood.

Eduardo, at 37 years old, has reached the mark of 40 fights in his career. His last fight was the defeat to Matthew Lopez in 2017. The Englishman from Cage Warriors is 24 years old and has a record of 16 fights, with 13 wins and three losses.

Still on the preliminary card, Gleison Tibau fights against Desmond Green in the lightweight division. At 34 years old, the Brazilian has a record of 45 fights, with 32 wins and 13 losses. Tibau is in a bad phase in Ultimate, with three consecutive defeats in his last fights.

American Desmond Green has 27 fights in his career, with 20 wins and seven losses. He is coming off a loss to Michel Trator at UFC Belém.