Tyson Nam met debuting short-notice replacement Jerome Rivera at UFC Vegas 11 on Saturday. Opening up the card at the UFC Apex — the promotion’s final before their return to Fight Island next week — the pair faced off in a bantamweight battle that had Nam looking to make it two in a row inside the octagon.
Rivera had won three straight, including an appearance on the Contender Series back in August. Rivera was the only winner not to receive a contract that night, but he proved the importance of staying ready by landing a UFC spot by stepping up.
Rivera started on the outside, working well, throwing a lot of front kicks and leg kicks and keeping the fight at his range. Rivera was throwing a lot of feints and landing leg kicks, just feeling Nam out with the hands and touching him with the kicks. A huge advantage in output favored Rivera, as Nam was fighting at a patient pace. Nam had some success when he pressed Rivera against the cage, landing the bigger strikes, especially to the body. Just not a lot from Nam in the opening round.
In the opening moments of the second round Rivera threw a naked leg kick and Nam sat him with a counter right. Nam swarmed with ground and pound until the ref stepped in after a barrage of strikes. The patience of Nam really came through for him in this one.
THE COUNTER RIGHT! @TysonNam can throw 💣s at bantamweight!
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— UFC (@ufc) September 19, 2020
Tyson Nam def. Jermone Rivera by TKO (Right Hand and Ground and Pound), Round 2, 0:34
