November 2, 2024

Marlon Moraes reveals he has signed Jimmie Rivera bout agreement

Marlon Moraes has signed the dotted line to face fellow bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera at UFC on FOX 28 in February. Now it’s up to Rivera to also accept the UFC’s offer.

Marlon Moraes has officially agreed to fight Jimmie Rivera.

The UFC bantamweight contender posted a photo of a signed contract Saturday on Twitter, revealing that he has accepted an offer to face Rivera at UFC on FOX 28 in February. Moraes added in the tweet that he would be open to fighting the 28-year-old in early March instead if that worked better for “B-I-T-C-H” Rivera.

When reached by BloodyElbow.com Saturday evening, Rivera had this to say: “Monday I will be making (an) official statement on everything in the past weeks. The last time my manager spoke to (UFC matchmaker) Sean (Shelby) it was about the possibility of fighting Cody (Garbrandt), since he says he is healthy and ready to fight.”

UFC on FOX 28 takes place at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 24. No main event has been confirmed for the event.

Last month, Moraes offered to step up and face Rivera on short notice after John Lineker was forced out of UFC 219 with an injury. But the two fighters and the leading MMA promotion failed to come to terms (Moraes did not accept a 145-pound bout), and Rivera was pulled from the card.

Rivera said the Brazilian knockout artist was “full of s—t” after allegedly withdrawing his offer. After Rivera was removed from the event, the New Jersey native said moving forward, he was focusing on potential fights with champ T.J. Dillashaw and former titleholders Garbrandt andDominick Cruz.

Rivera, 28, is undefeated in the UFC and on a 20-fight winning streak. He holds impressive victories over Thomas Almeida and Urijah Faber. Moraes was signed to the promotion last year after a lengthy run in WSOF as 135-pound champ. He lost his debut to Raphael Assuncao, but followed that up with wins over John Dodson and Aljamain Sterling.

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