Jimmie Rivera calls for bantamweight title-eliminator with ex-champ Cody Garbrandt

After his UFC 219 fight fell apart on fight week and he was unable to compete at the year-end event this past weekend, Jimmie Rivera is chomping at the bit to get in the octagon, and he has an opponent in mind.

Rivera (21-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) has publicly called for a matchup with former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt (11-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC). “No Love” recently revealed he’s healthy and ready to step back in the octagon after losing the title to T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 207 in November, and Rivera has made it clear he’s a willing adversary (via Twitter):

It’s no surprise Rivera is pursuing a fight against Garbrandt, especially with 135-pound champion Dillashaw currently tied up as he pursues a champion vs. champion fight with UFC flyweight titleholder Demetrious Johnson.

Rivera believes he’s due for a big fight, especially after what happened at UFC 219. Rivera, who is riding a 20-fight MMA winning streak, was supposed to face Dominick Cruz at the year-end event, but the ex-champ withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Brazilian slugger John Lineker, who also withdrew from the card.

Although Rivera tried to salvage his spot on the UFC 219 with a fight against Marlon Moraes, it failed to come together and he was removed from the card altogether. Now that he’s had some time to get past the disappointment, Rivera is looking for his next fight, and he believes Garbrandt is the ideal dance partner.

Garbrandt has yet to reply to Rivera’s challenge, and it remains to be seen if he will take him up on it.

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