MMA Preview – Francisco Figueiredo vs Jerome Rivera at UFC Fight Island 8
FRANCISCO FIGUEIREDO VS JEROME RIVERA FACTS
When is UFC Fight Island 8? Wednesday 20th January, 2021 - 15:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Island 8? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Island 8? No tickets are available as this event will take place with a limited number of spectators
What channel is UFC Fight Island 8 on? BT Sport 3
Where can I stream UFC Fight Island 8? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
FRANCISCO FIGUEIREDO VS JEROME RIVERA LOWDOWN
Francisco Figueiredo (11-3-1(1)), brother of flyweight champion Deiveson, heads to Fight Island to make his UFC debut. He arrives as the former Jungle Fights interim bantamweight champion but has fought for a variety of promotions during his career. He won the title by knocking out Manoel dos Santos and is coming off a draw with Eduardo de Souza Silva failing to avenge his loss to him back in 2017.
Unlike Figueiredo, Jerome Rivera (10-3) fought in 2020, three times in fact where he made his UFC debut. Unfortunately, it did not go to plan as he got knocked out by Tyson Nam in the second round. That loss snapped a three-fight win streak which included submissions over Gene Perez and Kendrick Latchman as well as a unanimous decision against Luis Ronaldo Rodriguez on the Contender Series.
FRANCISCO FIGUEIREDO VS JEROME RIVERA PREDICTION
Figueiredo will be making the cut to flyweight for his debut and although Rivera’s last fight was at bantamweight, he is a natural flyweight and will also boost a four-inch height and three-inch reach advantage.
Figueiredo is the favourite here but he is unproven at the top level. He was very lucky to get a draw in his last fight. That said, if he has a smooth weight cut he will find he has a power advantage over Rivera.
They are both very dangerous on the ground, but their skills may cancel each other out to force a stand-up battle. Here Is where Rivera can get the upper hand. He has great movement and can frustrate the Brazilian hitting him form range.
This is a tough fight to call with no standout performances to set them apart, but we are going to back Rivera to pull off the upset in a close decision.
Prediction: Rivera via Decision
