''UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 131'') was a

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...

event produced by the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

that was held on June 1, 2018, at

Adirondack Bank Center The Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium is a 3,860-seat multi-purpose arena in Utica, New York, with a capacity of 5,700 for concerts. Nicknamed the Aud, it is the home arena of the Utica Comets, the AHL affiliate of the NHL ...

Utica, New York Utica () is a Administrative divisions of New York, city in the Mohawk Valley and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The List of cities in New York, tenth-most-populous city in New York State, its population was 65,283 ...

Background

The event marked the promotion's first visit to Utica. A bantamweight bout between

Jimmie Rivera Jimmie Ernesto Rivera (born June 29, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). Prior to signing with BKFC, Rivera competed in the UFC's Bantamwei ...

and former WSOF Bantamweight Champion

Marlon Moraes Marlon Luiz Moraes (born April 26, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He previously competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Champi ...

served as the event headliner.

Bryan Barberena Bryan Paul Barberena (born May 3, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Welterweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2009, he has also competed for King of the Cage. B ...

was expected to face

Jake Ellenberger Jacob Steven "Jake" Ellenberger (born March 28, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist and former United States Marine who was known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor from 2005–2018, ...

at the event. However, on March 23, Barberena pulled out due to injury. He was replaced by Ben Saunders. A lightweight bout between The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 welterweight winner Leonardo Santos and

Nik Lentz Nik Lentz (born August 13, 1984) is an American retired mixed martial artist. He most notably fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fighting in the lightweight division. Background Lentz was born in El Paso, Texas but grew up in Twin ...

was expected to take place at this event. However, on April 28, it was reported that Santos was pulled from the event due to a hand injury. He was replaced by

David Teymur David Teymur (born May 1, 1989) is a Swedish professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Kickboxing and Muay Thai career David and his older brother Daniel started ou ...

Niko Price Nicholas Gordon Price (born September 29, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Born and raised in Cape Coral, Florida, Price attended Marine ...

was expected to face

Belal Muhammad Belal Muhammad (born July 9, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the UFC welterweight division. A professional since 2012, he has also competed for Bellator and Titan FC. As of October 24, 2022, he is #4 ...

at the event. However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer

Chance Rencountre Chance Eugene Duke Rencountre (born December 31, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional since 2012, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Champion ...

Hector Sandoval Hector Sandoval (born July 19, 1986) is Mexican-American mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist, who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He currently competes in the flyweight division. Background Born in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico ...

was expected to face

Jarred Brooks Jarred Brooks (born May 2, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in ONE Championship, where he is the current ONE Strawweight World Champion. A professional competitor since 2014, he has also competed for the ...

at the event. However, Sandoval was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Jose Torres. Former WSOF Women's Strawweight Champion

Jessica Aguilar Jessica Aguilar (born May 8, 1982) is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist who competes in RIZIN. At the time of her voluntary departure from World Series of Fighting, she was the reigning WSOF Women's Strawweight Champion. Aguilar previously ...

and

Jodie Esquibel Jodie Esquibel (born 7 May 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She has also fought for Invicta FC. Mixed martial arts career Early career Esquibel made her professional MMA ...

were scheduled to face each other in a strawweight bout. Both women successfully weighed in, but the bout was removed from the card the day of the event by the

NYSAC The New York State Athletic Commission or NYSAC, also known as the New York Athletic Commission, is a division of the New York State Department of State which regulates all contests and exhibitions of unarmed combat within the state of New York, ...

due to a concern over a medical issue with Aguilar.

Results

Bonus awards

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses: *Fight of the Night: None awarded *Performance of the Night: Marlon Moraes, Gregor Gillespie, Ben Saunders, and Nathaniel Wood

References

{{2018 in mixed martial arts UFC Fight Night 2018 in mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts in New York (state) 2018 in sports in New York (state)

Background

Results

Bonus awards

See also

References