As expected, Jimmie Rivera will not be competing at UFC 219.
The Las Vegas-based promotion on Wednesday confirmed that Rivera’s scheduled bout with John Lineker at the Dec. 30 event has been canceled. Multiple outlets had already reported that Lineker had withdrawn from the proposed bantamweight contest due to an infected tooth.
Initially, it was unclear if Rivera, who also lost Dominick Cruz as a potential foe, would remain on the card against a replacement opponent. However, after some social media posturing with Marlon Moraes, Rivera will have to return to the Octagon on another day.