Arias: Rivera Leaves Mark at UFC 149

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Francisco Rivera of Buena Park, Calif., put himself on the map in the UFC’s bantamweight division with a sizzling first-round knockout of Roland Delhorme on the UFC 149 prelims on FX this past weekend in Canada.

“I knew I had to go in there and win this fight,” said Rivera, who competes at 135 pounds. “I just went in there confident and relaxed.”

UFC commentator Joe Rogan said he was extremely impressed by Rivera’s composure in the pocket and level-headedness during exchanges as he announced the fight.

“Sparring with all the top-notch guys, who are bigger and stronger and faster than me — having good training partners makes me more confident and relaxed in there,” said Rivera, a former football and track star at Buena Park High and Orange Coast College.

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