Jimmie Rivera joined hosts Joe Rizzo (@RearNakedChoke) and Jason Kelly (@JayKellyMMA) on Rear-Naked Choke Radio to talk his upcoming fight, the UFC sale, his gym, UFC champion training partners and Reebok.
Audio available for download on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio
Rivera (@JimmieRivera135), who is on a 18-win streak, meets Urijah Faber on Sept. 10 at UFC 203 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Rivera talked about the chance to improve his record against Faber, how he approaches fighting well-established fighter and his respect for “The California Kid.”
Rivera also spoke about the biggest news in the history of the UFC. Days before this show the UFC announced they sold to WME-IMG for a whopping $4.2 billion, which has media speculating some fighters may be wondering where their piece of the pie is. Rivera gave his thoughts on the price tag, how the UFC operates and his satisfaction with Dana White.
Rivera runs a Tiger Schulmann’s gym, but trains alongside names such as Frankie Edgar, Eddie Alvarez and other UFC champs and veterans, including old friend Katlyn Chookagian. Rivera talked about the benefits of being a teacher to students, and a student of mixed martial artists at the top of the sport.
The Reebok deal didn’t exactly win over fans and fighters. While Rivera admitted he doesn’t know anyone that has purchased one of his Reebok kits, but he and Rizzo plotted a way to increase the popularity of Rivera’s, stealing a script from soccer.