MMABay sat down this week with long-time UFC veteran and former contestant on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show, Jorge Rivera for an EXCLUSIVE chat about his upcoming fight with Michael Bisping at UFC 127 next month in Sydney, Australia. Enjoy…!Hi Jorge,
Thank you for taking the time to sit down with MMABay and answer a few of our questions.
Rivera – No problem, anytime.
MMABay – You were last in action on the UFC Fight Night 21 card, defeating “Ultimate Fighter” original and middleweight heavy hitter, Nate Quarry on the main card of the evening. What are your thoughts on how the fight went and where does it rank in your list of victories to date?
Rivera – I felt like I had a good camp going in and I was able to execute the game plan we had. I feel like it’s a good victory over a very tough opponent and one that I’m happy with.
MMABay – You were due to return to the octagon on this past November’s UFC 122 card in Oberhausen, Germany, only for your opponent, Alessio Sakara to pull out at the eleventh hour. Just how difficult was it to hear the news that you wouldn’t be fighting on the card after going through everything associated with the event?
Rivera – It was a little weird, the whole thing was anti-climatic and just felt flat after being told there was no fight. You go from being pumped up and full of adrenaline to just blah… different.
MMABay – While in Germany you told the press that you’d be fighting against Michael Bipsing on the UFC 127 card in Sydney, Australia, something that’s obviously come to pass. When were you approached by the promotion about the fight and was it a little bit of posturing on your part to make the fight happen?
Rivera – Yes I was asked who I would like to fight after the Sakara fight had fallen through and Michael Bisping I felt would make for a very good fight, so I went after it.
MMABay – You also said during the interview that you intended to “fuck him up”, referring to Michael Bisping, should he sign on the dotted line. You seem quite hostile towards the Wolfslair MMA Academy fighter, has this been prompted by something that’s happened between you in the past or perhaps you feel that he’s been singled out for special treatment by the promotion because he’s the British poster boy?
Rivera – Neither to be honest. I wanted the fight and knew that if I egged it on enough it would happen. I just wanted to make sure it would happen.
MMABay – Michael’s publically said that he wanted to square off with former title contender, Nate Marquardt instead of yourself as he thought a win over the Jackson trained fighter would put him closer to a shot at the title. Do you take those sorts of comments personally and does it add extra motivation for you ahead of the fight?
Rivera – I don’t take any of that personal at all. He’s going about his business to get what he wants and I’m doing the same.
MMABay – Can you give us some clue as to what you’ve been working on ahead of the fight in order to deal with the skill set Bisping brings to the table?
Rivera – I train with Peter Welch everyone at F-15 in South Boston and Tim Burrill in North Providence, Scott Rehm for my conditioning in Cape Cod and crushing all of it to make for a good fight.
MMABay – Michael’s been working extensively on his striking game of late and technically seems to be up there with the best of them when it comes to his movement. On top of that he seems to be changing people’s opinions on his once suspect chin. How do you expect to take advantage on the feet and can we have a prediction for the fight?
Rivera – We all train to improve ourselves in every aspect of MMA… Just as he has I have been too, I’m looking forward to banging out with him for sure.
MMABay – Finally, for any new fans that will be tuning in for the first time on February 27th, what can we expect from you at UFC 127?
Rivera – They can expect me to lay it all on the line and fight with all of my heart.
MMABay – Have you got any sponsors you’d like to mention or people you’d like to thank before we finish?
Rivera – Wanna always thank Ranger Up and Alchemist Management and all of my sponsors there are a few of them and I don’t want to forget anyone, but thank you all for the love and support it’s much appreciated, thank you.
MMABay – Thanks for taking the time to speak to MMABay.
Rivera – Thank you as well much appreciated.
(An exclusive interview for MMABay.co.uk)
By Michael Pepper.
No comments:
Post a Comment