Giga Chikadze needed a new opponent for UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris after the withdrawal of Mike Davis and now he has one because Irwin Rivera has reportedly accepted the short notice opportunity.
MMA Junkie first reported the news, but Rivera has to pass medicals and make weight before the bout can become official.
Chikadze (9-2-0) is undefeated thus far during his UFC tenure, defeating the duo of Brandon Davis and Jamall Emmers. Chikadze also competed on Dana White?s Tuesday Night Contender Series Episode 10, suffering a third round submission loss to Austin Springer. Chikadze has picked up nine wins as a professional MMA fighter and five of them came by way of KO/TKO.
Rivera (9-4-0) is going to be making his UFC debut in this bout and does so on the strength of a three fight winning streak. Rivera is the current Titan FC Bantamweight Champion, defeating Lazar Stojadinovic at Titan FC 53 to win the gold. Rivera hasn?t suffered a defeat in over two years, with that last loss coming to Edir Terry at Titan FC 48.
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris takes place on Saturday, May 16 from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida with Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on ESPN.