Bantamweight Clash Between Jimmie Rivera and Petr Yan Earmarked for UFC 238

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Can 'El Terror' bounce back with at UFC 238?

Just two weeks ago, many contenders within the stacked Bantamweight division were in somewhat of a 'no man's land'. T.J. Dillashaw had just failed an in competition drug test stemming from his January meeting with Henry Cejudo, and subsequently relinquished his throne. UFC 238 looks likely to settle a lot of differences at 135lbs, and firmly reshuffle the division.

Streaking contender Petr Yan looks to retain his undefeated status in the promotion, and is expected to meet the well rounded Jimmie 'El Terror' Rivera in Chicago, Illinois. It also emerged yesterday, a potential title eliminator between Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz was on deck for the June 8th. event, with the winner of that exciting match up likely to face main event stars Henry Cejudo and Marlon Moraes, who square off for the vacant title, sometime later this year.

The boxing based Petr Yan, recently scored a convincing three round unanimous decision victory over TUF alumni and two time title challenger John Dodson, after his second round corner stoppage of Brazil's Douglas Silva de Andrade. The talented boxer offers a tricky puzzle for Tiger Schulmann product Rivera, who himself is attempting to bounce back from a loss to the previously mentioned Aljamain Sterling. Dropping just three career defeats since his professional bow eleven years prior, New Jersey native Rivera holds some impressive names on his win column. The likes of one time WEC Featherweight best and Hall of Fame wrestler Urijah Faber, and Brazilian trio Iuri Alcantara, Thomas Almeida and Pedro Munhoz to name a few. A victory for each man firmly instates them into a now crowed title conversation.

UFC 238 takes place from the United Centre in Chicago, Illinois on June 8th. with two title bouts and multiple championship eliminators scheduled. As mentioned earlier, Flyweight kingpin Henry Cejudo and Marlon Moraes throw down in the event headliner, while recently minted Flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko defends her crown for the first time against division mover Jessica Eye. Strawweight challengers Tatiana Suarez and Nina Ansaroff also meet, while perennial Flyweight contender Katlyn Chookagian faces the solid striker Joanne Calderwood. In his Octagon and hometown return, Ricardo Lamas faces the surging Calvin Kattar in a so far impressive pay-per-view for the organisation.

This article also appears on www.lowkickmma.com

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