After heated back-and-forth exchanges over the last couple months, bantamweight stars Jimmie Rivera and "Magic” Marlon Moraes will finally meet in the Octagon, with the showdown set to headline the UFC's first visit to Utica, NY on June 1.
FS1 will televise the event live from Adirondack Bank Center. Tickets go on sale on April 6.
Also added to the UFC Fight Night card is a lightweight matchup pitting New Yorker Gregor Gillespie against Vinc Pichel.
Winner of 15 of his last 16 bouts, Moraes has taken the UFC by storm since his debut in 2017, and after a close decision loss to Raphael Assuncao, he bounced back with wins over John Dodson and Aljamain Sterling. In June, the No. 5-ranked Brazilian will attempt to make his case for a title shot when he tackles the No. 4-ranked Rivera, who is on a 20-fight winning streak that includes a perfect 5-0 UFC slate.
