UFC mixed martial arts event in 2018
UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes (also known as UFC Fight Night 131 ) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on June 1, 2018, at Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York .[2]
Background
The event marked the promotion's first visit to Utica.[2] [3]
A bantamweight bout between Jimmie Rivera and former WSOF Bantamweight Champion Marlon Moraes served as the event headliner.[4] [5]
Bryan Barberena was expected to face Jake Ellenberger at the event. However, on March 23, Barberena pulled out due to injury.[6] He was replaced by Ben Saunders .[7]
A lightweight bout between The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 welterweight winner Leonardo Santos and Nik Lentz was expected to take place at this event. However, on April 28, it was reported that Santos was pulled from the event due to a hand injury.[8] He was replaced by David Teymur [9]
Niko Price was expected to face Belal Muhammad at the event. However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Chance Rencountre .[10]
Hector Sandoval was expected to face Jarred Brooks at the event. However, Sandoval was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Jose Torres .[11]
Former WSOF Women's Strawweight Champion Jessica Aguilar and Jodie Esquibel were scheduled to face each other in a strawweight bout. Both women successfully weighed in, but the bout was removed from the card the day of the event by the NYSAC due to a concern over a medical issue with Aguilar.[12]
Results
Main card (Fox Sports 1)
Weight class
Method
Round
Time
Notes
Bantamweight
Marlon Moraes
def.
Jimmie Rivera
KO (head kick and punches)
1
0:33
Lightweight
Gregor Gillespie
def.
Vinc Pichel
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
2
4:06
Heavyweight
Walt Harris
def.
Daniel Spitz
TKO (punches and elbows)
2
4:59
Welterweight
Ben Saunders
def.
Jake Ellenberger
TKO (knee to the body and punches)
1
1:56
Featherweight
Julio Arce
def.
Daniel Teymur
Submission (rear-naked choke)
3
2:55
Light Heavyweight
Sam Alvey
def.
Gian Villante
Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)
3
5:00
Preliminary card (Fox Sports 1)
Women's Flyweight
Sijara Eubanks
def.
Lauren Murphy
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
3
5:00
Lightweight
David Teymur
def.
Nik Lentz
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
3
5:00
Welterweight
Belal Muhammad
def.
Chance Rencountre
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
3
5:00
Lightweight
Desmond Green
def.
Gleison Tibau
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–27)
3
5:00
Preliminary card (UFC Fight Pass)
Bantamweight
Nathaniel Wood
def.
Johnny Eduardo
Submission (D'Arce choke)
2
2:18
Flyweight
Jose Torres
def.
Jarred Brooks
KO (slam)
2
2:55
[a]
^ Brooks knocked himself out when attempting to slam Torres.[13]
[14]
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[15]
Fight of the Night: None awarded
Performance of the Night: Marlon Moraes, Gregor Gillespie, Ben Saunders, and Nathaniel Wood
See also
References
Upcoming events are in italics
Flagship events Fight Nights (on Spike TV) UFC on Versus/UFC Live UFC on Fox UFC on FX UFC on Fuel TV Fight Nights (on FS1, FS2, FXX, or UFC Fight Pass) UFC on ESPN (or ESPN2) Fight Nights (on ESPN+) UFC on ABC The Ultimate Fighter Finales