UFC on ESPN 13 results: Jimmie Rivera out strikes Cody Stamann to win first fight back in over a year

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Despite taking a fight on extremely short notice, Jimmie Rivera still put on striking showcase to get his first win since 2018.

Over three rounds, Rivera consistently beat Cody Stamann to the punch, winning the exchanges and connecting with the better shots to ultimately win a unanimous decision. While the judges all gave him the victory with scores reading 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, Rivera was still disappointed with his performance afterewards.

“I’m not happy with the win,” Rivera said. “I just had a couple days to get ready for a fight. I’m a perfectionist. I want to do better.”

Regardless of his self-deprecating analysis, Rivera didn’t look like he missed a step in his first fight back in over a year while also recovering from a bout with COVID-19. The New Jersey native was fast on his feet and lightning quick with his counters as he looked to make Stamann pay with every offensive flurry.

!@JimmieRivera135 is looking for a quick night #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/gojDj2mL7b

— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020

With a higher output and better accuracy, Rivera looked strong with his striking, which led to Stamann altering his game plan as he began looking to work from the clinch and trying for the takedown. Unfortunately for him, Rivera was largely able to stay off his back as they were battling for position against the fence.

Any time the fighters separated, Rivera just looked a little quicker on the trigger as he continued to tag Stamann from the outside. Just before the final horn sounded, Rivera threw one last combination that ended with a stinging left hand that cracked Stamann as the exclamation point on his performance.

Following two straight losses in a row, Rivera definitely wanted to get the win and he delivered with the unanimous decision over Stamann at UFC on ESPN 13.