Jimmie Rivera and Marlon Moraes clash in UFC Fight Night Utica headliner:

Probable title implications for the winner.

The future of the Bantamweight division will jolter come June, as high rising contenders Jimmie Rivera and Brazilian promotional trailblazer Marlon Moraes meet in a long rumored main event slot, at UFC Fight Night Utica. Rivera who was scheduled to face Dominick Cruz and then a replacement John Lineker at the tail end of 2017, unfortunately seen neither fight come to fruition due to first another injury to former champ Cruz, then weight issues for 'Hands of Stone. A razor thin decision loss to Raphael Assuncao in his UFC bow, former WSOF 135bs best Moraes controversially seen his immaculate 13 fight win streak snapped, but quickly rebounded back with two high level performances against John Dodson and then a brutal stiffening knee against Aljamain 'Funk Master' Sterling. This particular wrestler versus striker match up was rumored for quite a long time, with Rivera calling out Marlon to accept a bout agreement for the last couple of months.

Last time out 'El Terror' Rivera exacted a hugely impressive wrestling clinic against the always dangerous Kickboxing ace Thomas Almeida, maintaining his undefeated UFC run with a unanimous decision three round victory. Adding to his already eye catching professional hit list, Almeida now joins former WEC kingpin Urijah Faber, the experienced Iuri Alcantara, Brian Kelleher and Brazil's Pedro Munhoz.   A product of the renowned Tiger Schulmann, Rivera plys his trade out of New York, making this an all Yonkers affair, with the well rounded Marlon Moraes a trainee of both Mark Henry and BJJ expert Ricardo Almeida.

Despite a disappointing UFC debut against Assuncao in terms of the result rather than the display, Moraes as mentioned earlier returned in dramatic fashion, especially against Sterling. A early stand up and separation set up a high kick which Aljamain inadvertently ducked into, resulting in a brutal knee stoppage in favor of the Brazilian. With both knockout and submissions credentials, Marlon Moraes is undoubtedly one of the most exciting cross promotion stars to make a move to the fore running UFC.

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