After UFC Fight Night 103 scratch, Jimmie Rivera wants ex-champ Dominick Cruz

UFC bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera won’t be fighting at Sunday’s UFC Fight Night 103 event. However, he’s looking to compete soon – and against a big-name opponent.

Rivera (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) was originally slated to fight Bryan Caraway (21-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC) on this weekend’s card at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. Caraway suffered an injury just 11 days out, and it forced him off an FS1-televised card that follows early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

After Caraway withdrew, Rivera, No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, was briefly linked to a matchup with replacement opponent Marlon Vera (8-3-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), but “El Terror” opted against the bout because it would portray him as a “bully,” he said.

Although that means he won’t fight this week, Rivera is still looking to compete as soon as possible. He wants a significant bout, and if it’s not a title shot against No. 1-ranked champion Cody Garbrandt (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), Rivera wants former champ and No. 2-ranked Dominick Cruz (22-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC).

He made his desires well know on social media (via Twitter):

Rivera is coming off the most significant win of his career – against now-retired former WEC champion Urijah Faber at UFC 203 in September. It pushed his current winning streak to 19 fights, a run that dates back to his one and only career loss, in November 2008.

Four fights into his UFC career, Rivera has largely had his way with his opponents, but he still needs to do more before he’s at the front of the line for a 135-pound title shot, especially with former champion T.J. Dillashaw (14-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) poised to challenge for the gold sooner than later.

Cruz might be a much more attainable fight, though, and threats such as sending “The Dominator” into retirement might help Rivera’s chances in getting what he wants.

For more on UFC Fight Night 103, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.