mma / News
Jimmie Rivera Is Open to Fighting Marlon Moraes at UFC 219 at 140 Pounds
As previously reported, John Lineker is injured and has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled UFC 219 bout with Jimmie Rivera at bantamweight. The fighter removal now leaves Rivera without an opponent for the fight card, which is set for later this Saturday.
It happens man, hope you have a speedy recovery
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
Later on, other UFC fighters posted messages on Twitter, offering to fight Rivera for the card instead. One of the fighters who tweeted an offer to fight Rivera was Marlon Moraes. Jimmie Rivera later posted a video on Twitter earlier today, stating that Marlon Moraes can’t make 136 pounds on such short notice or 138 pounds for that matter. Instead, Rivera said that he’s offering Moraes the fight at 140 pounds in order to get the fight done.
You can check out Rivera’s video message below.
.@MMARLONMORAES @ufc pic.twitter.com/mZEQrAGSir
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
It seems Marlon Moraes, despite being the one to initially challenge Rivera is not up for getting the extra pound allowance. Rivera later tweeted the following.
I give you 5 extra fucking pounds and you can’t make weight? @MMARLONMORAES you still say no to the fight. Five extra pounds. And this after you say you want to fight me.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
After that, Moraes’ manager, Ali Abdelaziz posted the following tweet. Adbelaziz’s behavior is somewhat ironic considering Marlon Moraes was the one who initially called out Jimmie Rivera for this fight, and Rivera was the one who offered to give him a compromise for the weight in order to make the fight happen.
Shut up punk Stop playing games with the fan you not too smart
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) December 25, 2017
UFC 219 is scheduled for December 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card is set to be broadcast live on pay-per-view. Prelims will be shown on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.
