Everyone, including fellow UFC fighters, was blown away by Marlon Moraes’ quick finish of Jimmie Rivera at UFC Utica.
Marlon Moraes and Jimmie Rivera had a massive grudge match coming into UFC Utica on Friday. Needless to say, the pair did not like each other. It dated back at the least to a proposed fight last winter, which Rivera felt Moraes ducked out of. Yet at UFC Fight Night 131 in Utica, the fight was on.
The fight was also over very, very quick. In a finish virtually no one saw coming, Marlon Moraes unleashed a switch kick just seconds into the fight. It caught Jimmie Rivera, and down he went. Moraes pounced, adding a few more blows as Rivera covered up, but really, that was all she wrote. The ref had seen enough. After an evening that had frankly dragged on, with the bulk of the fights going the distance and only one other contest ending within a round, Moraes vs. Rivera was over in the blink of an eye. Just thirty-three seconds, to be exact.
What did the pros who were watching think of the action? Check out how the pros reacted to the UFC Utica main event below!
STATEMENT. MADE.@mmarlonmoraes delivers a spectacular head kick KO over Rivera at #UFCUtica! pic.twitter.com/NQnajER0on
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) June 2, 2018
Yes! That’s what’s up congrats @MMARLONMORAES #savage #RABJJ
— Matthew Secor (@secormatthew) June 2, 2018
Same switch kick. Fast man
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) June 2, 2018
Moraes look like one punch man.. and fights like him to.. shit #ufcUtica
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) June 2, 2018
😱😱😱😱 that headkick sounded like someone just hit a home run. #UFCUtica
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) June 2, 2018
Good lord 😱😱😱
Moraes is a Savage. No 1 contender no doubt about that after tonight. #UFCUtica pic.twitter.com/yPHaAmikQv
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) June 2, 2018
😱😱😱😱😱😱😱#UFCUtica
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) June 2, 2018
Can’t say shit about that KO. #UFCUtica.
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) June 2, 2018
Wow!!!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) June 2, 2018
Hype train 🚂 👀
— 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
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
I would so love to see Moraes vs whoever wins between Cody and TJ!! @ufc
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) June 2, 2018
