UFC Vegas 11 Results: Tyson Nam Scores Second-Round TKO of Jerome Rivera

Tyson Nam and Jerome Rivera, UFC Vegas 11
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 19: (R-L) Tyson Nam punches Jerome Rivera in their bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

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.

Tyson Nam def. Jermone Rivera by TKO (Right Hand and Ground and Pound), Round 2, 0:34