UFC 238 Under the Radar: Petr Yan vs Jimmie Rivera

UFC 238 Under the Radar: Petr Yan vs Jimmie Rivera

By Jack Maher

This weekend the UFC returns to Chicago Illinois with a blockbuster 238 event that features two title fights and a matchup between Tony Ferguson and Donald Cerrone that many fans have labelled a dream fight.

The event should be an important night in the future of the bantamweight division, as the vacant 135lb belt will be contested in the main event between Marlon Moraes and Henry Cejudo, as well as the likelihood of a new number one contender emerging from the Aljamain Sterling – Pedro Munhoz fight that will take place on the ESPN prelims.

Continuing the bantamweight theme is Petr Yan vs Jimmie Rivera, a high level bout between top-10 bantamweights that has gone unfairly overlooked in my opinion.

Petr Yan is a man who has every intention of conquering the bantamweight division and has emerged as a serious contender since debuting last June.

The 26 year old has picked up 4 wins from 4 fights, and has won them all in impressive fashion. The Tiger Muay Thai fighter’s aggression has gone mostly unmatched by his previous opponents, who have been unable to handle his relentless pressure.

Yan’s ‘No Mercy’ moniker is a fitting one, and he will be keen to remind us of his capacity for chaos against his best opponent to date.

Jimmie Rivera is perhaps one of the division’s most consistent performers, having embarked on a 20-fight win streak extending from February 2009 until June of last year where he was stopped in the first round by the aforementioned Moraes. Rivera has notable wins over Thomas Almeida, Urijah Faber, Pedro Munhoz and John Dodson, proving his credibility as a top contender.

Rivera is coming off a decision loss against Aljamain Sterling however and his top 10 status will be at risk with another loss here, so the New Jersey native will be eager to get back to winning ways and add his name back to the championship conversation.

Yan is dangerous in the clinch and loves to back his opponents up against the cage and hammer them with combinations, while the methodical Rivera will look to counter strike and pick his shots while avoiding the dangerous flurry’s from Yan, which is easier said than done.

If Yan can find a finish against ‘El Terror’ he will be only the second man to do so, which would be a massive statement from the Russian.

Ferguson vs Cerrone may be the obvious fight to look forward to, but do not sleep on this fight either.