Watch Jimmie Rivera vs. Thomas Almeida full fight video highlights from UFC on FOX 25’s main card above, courtesy of FOX Sports.
UFC on FOX: Weidman vs. Gastelum took place July 22 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. UFC bantamweight contenders Jimmy Rivera (21-1) and Thomas Almeida (22-2) locked horns on the night's main card, which aired live on FOX. Catch the video highlights above.
For more on Rivera vs. Almeida, check out the play-by-play below courtesy of MMAFighting.com's Danny Segura.
Round 1: Alright, exciting bantamweight prospects Jimmie Rivera and Thomas Almeida kick things off for the UFC on FOX 25 main card. The referee for this bout is Dan Miragliotta. The fight is on. Rivera takes the center of the cage, while Almeida cirlcles on the outside. Several leg kicks land for Almeida. A minute in and both fighters are being very tentative. Another leg kick by Almeida. Rivera stalking Almeida down but not throwing much. Solid cobination by Rivera drops Almeida. The Brazilian quickly gets to his feet and clinches Rivera agaisnt the cage. They break off. Rivera begining to land now, seems much more confident after dropping Almeida. Good hook to the body Rivera. Now Almeida is doing the pressuring here, while Rivra backs up. They trade punches but nothing lands flush. A minute left. Rivera drops Almeida again, and as Almeida gets back to his feet, Rivera lands a head kick. Almeida seems to be okay but he’s bleeding through his nose. Almeida with a solid jab. Ten seconds left. Almeida finishes the round by landing another leg kick.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Rivera.
Round 2: Almeida with another leg kick to get things going in the second. Rivera shoots for a takedown takes Almeida against the cage, but Almeida is able to defend. Almeida really working on his leg kicks but Rivera is doing a good job countering.Solid jab lands by Almeida. Rivera connects with a hard hook that seems to have hurt Almeida. Almeida’s face is busted up a little but. Rivera with a leg kick of his own. Almeida drops Rivera with a straight right, but Rivera quickly recovers. Two minutes left. Rivera throws combination at Almeida but misses. Solid head kick lands by Almeida. Seems Almeida has found his rhythm. Both fighters throw heavy leather with 20 seconds left on the clock, but nothing significant lands.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Almeida. Overall 19-19.
Round 3: Rivera shoots for a double, picks up Almeida and slams him on the canvas. The Long Island crowd goes crazy. Rivera now landing some ground-and-pound but he’s mainly trying to keep top position. Almeida gets back to his feet but they are now clinched against the cage. Almeida gets loose, and the fight resumes on the feet. A hard left hook lands by Rivera. Almeida answers back with a series of push kicks to the body. Three minutes left. Almeida pressuring a lot, controlling the Octagon. Almeida rushes which allows Rivera to get double under hooks and pressure Almeida against the cage. Almeida gets loose again. Nice straight right by Rivera. Almeida pressuring a lot. Rivera scores a takedown, but Almeida immediately gets back up. Hard left hook and knee to the body by Almeida. The bell goes off.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Rivera. Overall 29-28, Rivera.
Official result: Jimmie Rivera def. Thomas Almeida via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
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