UFC 238 results: Petr Yan defeats Jimmie Rivera (highlights)

In the first of two bantamweight bouts on the UFC 238 main card, New Jersey’s Jimmie Rivera looked to slow the meteoric rise of Russia’s Petr Yan.

“No Mercy” Yan entered the fight with a 12-1 overall record, and a solid 4-0 mark in the UFC. In his last fight, he picked up the biggest win of his career, outpointing former flyweight title challenger John Dodson for an impressive decision triumph.

Jimmie Rivera, on the other, looked to rebound from an upset decision loss to UFC 238 undercard fighter Aljamain Sterling, and entered the fight with an impressive 22-3 overall mark.

Round one began with Petr Yan looking for power shots, and Jimmie Rivera favoring a more measured approach, chewing up his foe’s legs with kicks and peppering in the occasional uppercut. While Rivera seemed to be getting the better of Yan for the majority of the round, the Russian stole the stanza in the final seconds, dropping the American with a slick left hand.

HE TAGGED HIM!

Rivera is saved by the bell as we go to round two. #UFC238 pic.twitter.com/VxqzbkgCbf

— UFC (@ufc) June 9, 2019

In round two, Jimmie Rivera really seemed to find his groove. The American punished his Russian foe’s body with punches and brutalized his legs with repeated kicks. Just like round one, however, Petr Yan finished this one with a huge knockdown, nearly finishing the fight.

Déjà vu!@PetrYanUFC drops Rivera at the end of the round. #UFC238 pic.twitter.com/iiciClUD99

— UFC (@ufc) June 9, 2019

In round three, the two bantamweights continued to battle on the feet. Though Jimmie Rivera had some success, it was once again Petr Yan who landed the more meaningful strikes of the round.

No mercy tonight.@PetrYanUFC #UFC238 pic.twitter.com/gPrMXMwyPp

— UFC (@ufc) June 9, 2019

In the end, the judges awarded this one to Yan by unanimous decision. He now stands out as one of the top contenders in the UFC bantamweight division. In fact, the Russian called for a title shot in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/8/2019.