UFC 264’s lone flyweight bout took place on the early preliminary card and pitted Zhalgas Zhumagulov opposite Jerome Rivera.
Rivera, a Contender Series winner who didn’t earn a contract, only to jump into the UFC a short-notice replacement, was looking to snap a three-fight skid. And to avoid the almost certain pink slip that would come with a loss on Saturday. Zhumagulov, his own roster spot far from secure, was looking for his first win inside the octagon after dropping his first two fights for the promotion.
Both fighters took the center of the cage to start Saturday night off, and Rivera came out swinging. Rivera landed a jab and a kick. He followed that with three very hand body shots. Rivera missed with a head kick, and Zhumagulov landed a counter punch that dropped Rivera. Rivera shot for Zhumagulov’s legs, and Zhumagulov grabbed his neck. Zhumagulov locked in a standing guillotine choke and twisted into a neck crack which made Rivera tap. What a way to start the night!
How's that for a first win in the UFC 😱
🇰🇿 @ZhakoZhumagulov gets a first RD tap! #UFC264 pic.twitter.com/ZvWSVfXiY6
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2021
Zhumagulov picked up his long-awaited first win UFC win and gets to keep his job, while Rivera will be headed back to the regional scene as has now lost four fights in a row.
Official Result: Zhalgas Zhumagulov def. Jerome Rivera by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 2:02
