Rivera says he'll fight Moraes at 145 pounds after bickering over terms
Warning: Story contains coarse language
Jimmie Rivera may be getting another new opponent for his bantamweight bout at UFC 219 - if he can get on the same page as his latest challenger.
After John Lineker was forced to drop out of the fight due to a tooth injury on Sunday, fifth-ranked bantamweight Marlon Moraes offered up his services as a replacement for the fight via Twitter.
Rivera, originally scheduled to face Dominick Cruz before the former champ broke his arm, accepted the challenge and offered a 2-pound cushion for Moraes to make weight more easily. Rivera later received word that Moraes couldn't make the proposed 138-pound limit and offered to fight at 140 pounds instead.
However, Moraes apparently still could not make weight, angering Rivera.
I give you 5 extra fucking pounds and you can’t make weight? @MMARLONMORAES you still say no to the fight. Five extra pounds. And this after you say you want to fight me.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
Moraes quickly responded to Rivera's tweet, claiming he will only fight "on my terms, not your terms," though he did not specify those terms or whether he is able to make the proposed weight in time for the Dec. 30 card.
Merry Christmas everybody! @JimmieRivera135 now you fight on my terms. You turn down fight with me two times now I’m ready to fight you buddy on my terms not your terms I’m going to remind you of old memories you know what I’m sayin @danawhite @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2 pic.twitter.com/PWQJn0dikM
— Marlon Moraes (@MMARLONMORAES) December 25, 2017
After all the back and forth, Rivera said he will agree to fight Moraes at 145 pounds - 10 pounds heavier than his bout with Lineker was scheduled for - though no official confirmation has been made.
Alright let’s do it, 145lb sign the contract. @MMARLONMORAES
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) December 25, 2017
Rivera (21-1) is undefeated in the UFC, most recently defeating Thomas Almeida last July. He is currently ranked one spot ahead of Moraes (20-5-1) at fourth on the UFC's bantamweight rankings.
If the two fighters do square off, it will be the third time Moraes has fought since Nov.11, having defeated John Dodson and Aljamain Sterling in that time.