UFC Utica: Pros react to Marlon Moraes’ brutal 33-second KO of Jimmie Rivera
Jimmie Rivera kept an unbeaten streak alive across nearly 10 years and 20 fights. It came to an end in just 33 seconds once he met Marlon Moraes.
Moraes destroyed Rivera with a highlight-reel head-kick KO in the opening seconds of his headlining fight Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center at UFC Utica. The performance marked the second of its kind in a row for the former WSOF bantamweight champion, as Moraes needed just 67 seconds to do the same to Aljamain Sterling last December. After brutal back-to-back knockouts and another win over John Dodson, should Moraes be the next man to vie for the bantamweight title?
Check out reaction to Moraes’ sensational performance below, plus the best of the rest from a busy night at UFC Utica.
MARLON MORAES DEF. JIMMIE RIVERA
What a set up @MMARLONMORAES kickboxing at its highest level!
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) June 2, 2018
Congrats @MMARLONMORAES on the win!!
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) June 2, 2018
Yessssss my Brother !!!! @MMARLONMORAES 135ers be Afraid be very Afraid @ufc give him his shot
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) June 2, 2018
This kid is for real @ufc
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) June 2, 2018
that headkick sounded like someone just hit a home run. #UFCUtica
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) June 2, 2018
BRUH?!?! #UFCUtica pic.twitter.com/QxEELWUekY
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) June 2, 2018
Hate watching 2 friends fight but we all know business is business.. respect to both CONGRATS @MMARLONMORAES #UFCUtica
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) June 2, 2018
Can’t say shit about that KO. #UFCUtica.
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 2, 2018
Daaaaaaaaaaamn son!!!!!!! I’m an 85er and don’t want to get kicked by that man @MMARLONMORAES
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) June 2, 2018
I would so love to see Moraes vs whoever wins between Cody and TJ!! @ufc
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) June 2, 2018
nice KO @MMARLONMORAES congrats @ufc @ufc_brasil
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) June 2, 2018
@JimmieRivera135 we love u brother.. u will be back better then ever before
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) June 2, 2018
If anyone knows your pain right now @JimmieRivera135, it’s me. Keep your head up! Still hoping we get to lock it up in the future. Get some CBD and rest up #UFCUtica
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 2, 2018
I don’t celebrate or feel good for a man down, but I’m sure I can beat Rivera. That’s why he pull out. He knows #UFCUtica good night
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) June 2, 2018
WHAT!?!!?!!!?? That was a head kick from HELL!!
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) June 2, 2018
I think he should get next shot for sure he is finishing people even though they are hype trains https://t.co/NCqsFGEdun
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) June 2, 2018
GREGOR GILLESPIE DEF. VINC PINCHEL
Gillespie is an animal. I’ve been waiting to see him fight again #UFCUtica
— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) June 2, 2018
Gregor Gillespie very impressive
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) June 2, 2018
Congrats @gregor_the_gift !!!! #UFCUtica
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) June 2, 2018
@gregor_the_gift needs to be in the top 15.. excited to see who he gets matched up with next #UFCUtica
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) June 2, 2018
@gregor_the_gift congrats bro. Dominant performance!
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 2, 2018
Not surprised.. Gregor is relentless til he find the finish
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) June 2, 2018
@gregor_the_gift congrats! I like your style!!!!
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) June 2, 2018
I’m hurt that I lost but I’m more disappointed in myself for letting everyone down that believed in me. Sorry guys! I’ll come back stronger I promise!
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) June 2, 2018
WALT HARRIS DEF. DANIEL SPITZ
I feel that was the best Harris has ever looked in the octagon. Fast twitch muscles like that at HWT is a SCARY thing! Great feints, good combinations, and being patient helped him secure the TKO finish. #UFCUtica
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 2, 2018
I’m a big ticket guy. @thebigticket205 #ufcutica
— éS (@EricSpicely) June 2, 2018
It was all @thebigticket205 throughout. Speed, combos, pressure and he gets the finish in round 2. #UFCUtica
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 2, 2018
Amazing combo big bro Walt Harris @thebigticket205 with the finish!! Give him the $50k recharge @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @UFCONFOX #winner pic.twitter.com/YSvybvCUE9
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) June 2, 2018
Crazy Spitz corner was yelling “he’s fine” to the ref. He didn’t look fine. #ufc
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 2, 2018
Harris is fittin to have a wardrobe malfunction #UFCUtica
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) June 2, 2018
Walt hit dude with a HEATER!!! #UFCUtica
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) June 2, 2018
Good work @thebigticket205
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) June 2, 2018
Congrats @thebigticket205! Great performance against a tough opponent. #UFCUitca
— Matt Schnell (@DANGER_Caged) June 2, 2018
BEN SAUNDERS DEF. JAKE ELLENBERGER
Vicious body knee by KillaB @bensaundersMMA congrats brotha @UFCONFOX @ufc #UFCFightNight pic.twitter.com/css4d3pE6t
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) June 2, 2018
Muay Thai knees!!! #UFCUtica
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) June 2, 2018
Great clinch work by @bensaundersMMA !! Congrats brother
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) June 2, 2018
Ben Saunders channeled his inner Sagat with that knee! #UFCUtica pic.twitter.com/GIQb4JyFuY
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 2, 2018
Good work @bensaundersMMA
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) June 2, 2018
Sheesh nice knee to the body #UFCUtica
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 2, 2018
Ben Saunders clinch game nasty!!!! #UFCUtica
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) June 2, 2018
JULIO ARCE DEF. DANIEL TEYMUR
Who else thinks Arce looks like the lovechild of Rafael Assuncão and the Nogueira brothers? #UFCUtica
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) June 2, 2018
After weigh in yesterday I couldn’t be happier to see l Teymur finished. Punks it yesterday to make up for what he was lacking.... Great win for Arce #UFCUtica
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) June 2, 2018
Pay this man #UFCUtica
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) June 2, 2018
Arce is a stud! A sleeper at the weight because he’s quiet but don’t let that fool you! Lol #UFCUtica
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 2, 2018
SAM ALVEY DEF. GIAN VILLANTE
Sam throws heeeeeeeeeat #ufcutica
— éS (@EricSpicely) June 2, 2018
@smilensam will catch you sleeping
— tim means (@MeansTim) June 2, 2018
If you have a guy that can crack like Alvey can. Why not look for a takedown when you back him to the cage??
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) June 2, 2018
Smiling @smilensam has ridiculous power @ufc #ufc #UFCUtica #mma
— Jordan Rinaldi (@JordanRinaldi) June 2, 2018
That knock down define the fight #UFCUtica
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) June 2, 2018
I’m bias but I had Villante winning rd s 2 and 3. Till wins by forward pressure but not Villante? How did you score it?
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 2, 2018
Sam Alvey just wins! #UFCUtica
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 2, 2018
I like that Sam Alvey put his shirt on backwards
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) June 2, 2018
For everyone calling me and texting me about the Sam Alvey call out.. at the same time he called me out I got a call that my uncle died. Please let me have this time with my father. Thanks
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) June 2, 2018