Jimmie Rivera (born June 29, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
Rivera has formerly competed for Bellator, the World Series of Fighting, CFFC and King of the Cage, where he was the KOTC Bantamweight Champion.
[5] A Tiger Schulmann MMA product, Jimmie Rivera started his career in 2007 when he was 18 years old.
After compiling an undefeated 7–0 record as an amateur within only two years, he moved to professional mixed martial arts.
[19] Rivera made his promotional debut and faced Marcus Brimage on July 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 72, replacing an injured Ian Entwistle.
[28] Rivera was expected to face Bryan Caraway on January 15, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 103.
[29] However, Caraway pulled out of the fight citing an injury, and Rivera rejected the replacement Marlon Vera due to the lack of rank and relevance in the division.
However Cruz withdrew from the fight after he suffered a broken arm in training[33] and was replaced by John Lineker.
[35] After a failed negotiation with Marlon Moraes in an attempt to remain on the card, Rivera announced that he would not compete at the event.
[36] Rivera faced Marlon Moraes on June 1, 2018, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 131.
[46] Rivera faced Cody Stamann in a featherweight bout on July 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs.
[50] The pairing was rescheduled once again in early January as they were moved to UFC 258 on February 13, 2021, due to undisclosed reasons.
[54] In August 2021, it was reported that Rivera had finished his fight contract and was removed from the UFC roster.
[56] In November 2021, it was announced that Rivera had signed an exclusive contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
[59] Rivera faced Jeremy Stephens on December 2, 2023, at BKFC 56,[60] and lost by TKO due to doctor stoppage.
[61] Rivera faced two-time Bellator Featherweight World Champion Daniel Straus in the main event on May 11, 2024, at BKFC 61.