UFC bantamweights Marlon Moraes and Jimmie Rivera faced off in a main event match up for division dominance back at UFC Fight Night 131. Moraes made short work of his opponent, earning a knockout victory within the first round.
However, the confrontation did not entirely end there. Rivera and Moraes had a short verbal altercation backstage after their match up. The altercation seemingly involved Moraes’ manager Ali Abdelaziz, as Rivera recently claimed an issue with the manager.
Speaking to a UFC correspondent before the fight, Rivera said “It’s not a rivalry with him. It’s more his manager. His manager was very disrespectful to my wife, so I’m taking it out on him. His manager hides behind his fighters.”
Speaking on the latest edition of The MMA Hour, Moraes offered some details on the confrontation that took place after their match up.
“My manager, Ali, he’s trying to apologize…and he’s trying to shake Jimmie’s hands and his wife. It was a big misunderstanding. Ali never said anything bad to his wife. He thought so, but even Jimmie understands.
“Ali’s talking with them and his coach comes in. His names Tiger. I don’t even know his name. He comes in and tries to be a tough man and tried to start a fight with Ali. But man, this guy is in his 50’s. Ali is 40.
“Ali gives hard times to fighters. He could kill that guy. I’m glad they didn’t fight. I’m glad Ali didn’t hit him. Ali has heavy hands.”
