Jimmie Rivera started strong against Petr Yan tonight at UFC 238, but the latter’s deadly hands scored a couple of knockdowns that cinched him the win.
Both bantamweights came with some leg kicks early on, and as Yan moved forward, Rivera looked to counter with overhand rights. Rivera kept it up with the kicks, however, and mid-round, they momentarily clinched up. Rivera planted a nice uppercut moments later, and he continued to be the busier fighter. Late in the round, Yan shot in for a single leg, but Rivera defended nicely. Moments later, Yan fired in a nice kick to the body and shot in again. Rivera defended, but seconds before the round ended, he was floored by a booming left.
Yan landed another left not long into round two, but Rivera countered with his own, snapping right. Not long after, Rivera planted another hard kick to Yan’s lead leg that clearly hurt him. Yan came with a couple more kicks to the body, but Rivera took them well and resumed his attacks. By mid-round, a small cut had formed under the right eye of Rivera. With the final minute approaching, Yan went high with a kick that didn’t connect completely, but it bloodied Rivera up. Once again, right before the round horn went, Yan sent Rivera to the deck with two booming rights.
Yan fired in another body kick moments in, and Rivera responded with a takedown attempt that failed. Rivera pounded in several kicks that Yan blocked. Yan popped Rivera’s mouthpiece out with a nice combo, but when the action resumed, Rivera resumed his attacks. Later in the round, Yan took a finger to the eye, but the fight wasn’t stopped for long. Rivera pressed forward, winging shots, but Yan returned fire. Rivera cracked Yan with a left hand late, but it was likely too little, too late.
Yan was awarded the win by all three judges.
Here are the results so far for UFC 238, which is taking place in Chicago.
Petr Yan def. Jimmie Rivera via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Blagoy Ivanov def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Tatiana Suarez def. Nina Ansaroff via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Aljamain Sterling def. Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexa Grasso def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Calvin Kattar def. Ricardo Lamas via KO (punches) R1, 4:06
Yan Xiaonan def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Darren Stewart def. Bevon Lewis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Eddie Wineland def. Grigorii Popov via TKO (punches) R2, 4:47
Katlyn Chookagian def. Joanne Calderwood via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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