Less than a week ago, the top UFC bantamweight contender was scheduled to face Bryan Caraway in the opening main card bout at UFC Fight Night 103 on Jan. 15. “Kid Lightning” was removed from the card Thursday due to injury, and a replacement was immediately sought.
Marlon Vera agreed to fight Rivera, who was initially open to the short notice fight as well. The bout was soon after made official by the UFC, however, Rivera later retracted his agreement to fight “Chito.”
Rivera turned the replacement opponent down for various reasons. At No.