UFC Utica Results, Recap: Marlon Moraes Starches Jimmie Rivera

UFC Utica Results, Recap: Marlon Moraes Starches Jimmie Rivera

Marlon Moraes needed less than a minute to wipe out Jimmie Rivera at UFC Fight Night 131 in Utica. Full results, recap from the card here.

Jun 2, 2018 by FloCombat Staff
UFC Utica Results, Recap: Marlon Moraes Starches Jimmie Rivera

By Daniel Vreeland

The UFC came to Utica, New York, Friday, June 1 with UFC Fight Night 131, featuring a high-profile bantamweight tilt between Marlon Moraes and Jimmie Rivera at the top of the card. 

Backing up that matchup was the return of hyped undefeated prospect Gregor Gillespie, who faced Vinc Pichel in the night's co-main event. With Pichel coming off four straight wins himself, there was plenty intrigue heading into that fight. 

Here's what went down. 

UFC Utica Full Results, Recaps

Marlon Moraes Makes Quick Work of Rivera

Moraes made it two in a row by head kick as he stunned Rivera in the first and finished up with punches in less than one minute.

While it didn't give fans much to chew on in terms of long, drawn-out action, it firmly cemented Moraes as a contender in the stacked bantamweight division. Rivera represents a tough test for anybody, and Moraes passed in flawless fashion. 

Gillespie Ends Pichel’s Streak

To an arena filled with New York faithful, Gillespie did what nobody has done since 2012: He beat Vinc Pichel. 

And the wrestling stud didn't just beat his opponent, he slapped on the arm-triangle choke in the second round, notching the finish and rocketing his stock into the stratosphere. 

Walt Harris Gets TKO After Slow Start

It may not have been the start either fighter envisioned, but once Walt Harris finally got his hands on Daniel Spitz, it never slowed. 

It did take two rounds for him to get the job done, but it was all about finding the right opening for the 10-fight UFC veteran. 

“I saw holes in his game and I exploited them,” Harris said. 

An overhand right got things started, and some ground and pound did the rest, with the finish coming with a flurry that Harris said he could see coming. 

“I just got this feeling, if I see you hurt, I see you bleeding, I’m like a shark in blood-infested water,” he said.

Saunders’ Knee Ends Ellenberger’s Night

It took just under two minutes and one well-timed knee to the ribs for Ben Saunders to get his hand raised against Jake Ellenberger.

A knee in the clinch landed on the floating rib on Ellenberger’s right side, and the deed was done. Although many have said both of these fighters are near the end of their careers, Saunders disagrees. 

“I was more relaxed in this fight than I have been in most of my fights.  Everyone keeps telling me about the pressure of being on a two-fight losing streak, but I'm a rare breed,” Saunders said. “I just kept telling myself it isn’t the end of the road.”

That mentality served him well, as he could be seen smiling on the way into the cage. 

“I came out relaxed as hell with a big grin.  It was like being back on The Ultimate Fighter in 2007,” Saunders said.

“The Killa B is back, baby!”


Arce Ends String of Decisions; Chokes Teymur

After five straight decisions in Utica, and some not without controversy, featherweight Julio Arce made sure there was no question. 

Arce himself was trying to get off the decision trail after getting one against Dan Ige in his UFC debut, but he’s not getting ahead of himself in one of the most stacked divisions in the UFC.

“I’m just starting in a division filled with monsters and I’m excited to just continue and head on to the next opponent,” Arce said.  “I think this kind of put me on the map a little more.”

Speaking of maps, Arce had an idea for where he might want to fight next. 

“I’m from New York, I’m in Bayside, Queens, so before I had done boxing in Madison Square Garden I had done kickboxing in there too, so to be able to fight MMA in New York is amazing,” he said. “Hopefully when the UFC comes back to the city, they make sure I’m on the card.  I’d love to fight in my hometown.”

Alvey Outduels Villante in Chess Match

Gian Villante maintained forward motion for the vast majority of the fight, but the big hands of Sam Alvey were enough to take two out of the three judges’ scorecards. 

His opponent didn’t seem to agree with the close call, but Alvey actually saw it as more of a one-sided affair. 

“I knew it was a close fight, I thought I had won all three rounds but the judges saw it differently.  I tried to finish him but I didn’t press enough,” Alvey said. “He changed his game plan towards the end of the fight so I couldn’t quite get at him the same way I did earlier.”

After the bout, he called out Corey Anderson for an ole-fashioned Wisconsin showdown. 

“I want Corey Anderson next," Alvey said. "I kind of looked at the rankings and I think he’s a good matchup for where I am right now. He’s got some stud wrestling, he pushes the pace and he’s from Wisconsin, or at least he went to school there, so we can have a little cheese on cheese action.”

Eubanks Grinds Out Murphy

Thanks largely to takedowns in the second and third rounds, Sijara Eubanks won her long-awaited UFC debut. Weight problems derailed her first attempt at a debut, but she showed those were all behind her. 

“Everyone said I couldn’t make this weight, but I busted my ass to make it,” Eubanks said. “I’m the best flyweight in the world.”

Six months removed from what would have been her first title fight, she feels this win ought to grant her a second chance.

“Everyone I think in the top-five is matched up already so I don’t see why I shouldn’t get a title shot.  I’ve put in a good performance.”

Teymur Outstrikes Lentz

David Teymur started the night out right for the Teymur brothers by keeping it on his feet against a gritty grappler in Nik Lentz. 

“I’m here to win and to put the best show on for the whole crowd all around the world,” Teymur said.

With that win he runs his streak to eight in a row, five of which were in the UFC. Now, he has a plan on his mind to rise up the rankings. 

“I want to be the champion one day," Teymur said.“Next, I want a top-10 guy.”

Muhammad Cruises on Judges’ Cards

With a mixture of technical striking and timely takedowns, Belal Muhammad left no doubt in the judges' minds, taking home a 30-27 win on each scorecard. 

The effects of preparing for a fight while fasting due to Ramadan didn’t seem to impair Muhammad, das his gas tank held up well as the fight progressed. 

“Even training during Ramadan where I can’t have food or water during the day couldn’t stop me,” Muhammad said. 

And now he has a message for all those who are ducking him.

“Everyone who is ranked above me fears me, they keep turning down fights with me. Now I’m on a four-fight winning streak so these guys won’t be able to avoid me for long," he said. 

Green Feels Pressure in Decision Win

After losing two very close decisions in his last bout, Desmond Green was feeling the pressure as he stepping into the cage against Gleison Tibau. A mixture of forward movement and jabs made it a clear one for the Utica judges, but it wasn’t without worry from Green.

“I’d be lying if I said I was no pressure coming into this fight, but there wasn’t too much pressure. The two fights I lost were questionable and they were out of the country,” Green said.  “Not to make any excuses but you know how the judging can go.”

Wood Hits D’arce, Ready for Vacation

Cage Warriors champion and bantamweight prospect Nathaniel Wood marked out his place in the talent-stacked division with a submission stoppage over Johnny Eduardo. 

The London-native sunk in a second-round d’arce choke for the tap and the big win. 

Always the showman, Wood had an equally flashy answer about when he’s ready to get back in the cage after the back-and-forth bout. 

“Now, I’d like to let my eye heal up and try and keep these good looks,” Wood said. “As soon as my manager and the UFC want me back in there, I’m ready for negotiations.”

But even if his manager and UFC President Dana White want him in there next week, there is one small hurdle to the situation.

“I think I got to take my miss on holiday first, so a good month or two off,” Wood joked. 

“Gaethje-Like” Jose Torres Stops Jarred Brooks

In the first round of his UFC debut, Jose Torres was dropped by a Jarred Brooks spinning backfist, but the second round proved to be more fruitful for the former Titan FC dual champion. 

"Shorty" picked up the knockout victory at 2:55 of the second round on a slam gone wrong by his opponent. Torres is one-of-a-kind in his style, and this finish certainly qualified as unique. His comeback was not unlike another UFC star; one that Torres feels he’s quite a bit like. 

“I’m the Justin Gaethje of the flyweight division,” said Torres. “I have to get dropped, I have to have a bloody nose or something."

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