Jimmie Rivera apparently won’t get a last-minute opponent for UFC 219 event, after all.
The bantamweight striker John Lineker was pulled out due to a tooth infection and sent to emergency surgery, stranding opponent Jimmie Rivera in “Sin City” with no one to fight, despite some Twitter matchmaking with top bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes.
The fight failed to come to materialize, even with a 10-pound allowance.
Rivera lost two opponents – former champion Dominick Cruz is out after breaking his arm and then John Lineker.
The original hope was former WSOF champion Marlon Moraes would step in as a very late replacement. Moraes would’ve been looking for his third victory since Nov. 11 following recent wins over John Dodson and Aljamain Sterling.
Things are now looking bleak in that regard. Rivera was seeking opponent on twitter all day on Christmas day and summed up his situation below.
Sorry to my fans, friends and family. @MMARLONMORAES said no to the 10 pounds. Those were his terms, I agreed, and then he withdrew the offer.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 26, 2017
Let’s be clear on the situation. I’m in Vegas ready to fight. Missed Thanksgiving. Missed Christmas. Missed honeymoon. Was prepared. Was a professional. Cruz out. Lineker out. Marlon full of shit.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 26, 2017
For now, he’s got his eyes set on the division’s best: champ T.J. Dillashaw and former titleholders Cruz and Cody Garbrandt.
.@TJDillashaw @DominickCruz @Cody_Nolove I’m ready whenever you are…
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 26, 2017
It seems like this bout is totally drowned, but let’s wait and see if any update emerges on this.
