Jimmie Rivera apparently had other options besides Marlon Moraes that would have allowed him to remain on the UFC 219 card.
According to Ricky Kottenstette, John Dodson’s manager, Rivera declined a short-notice matchup against the former flyweight title challenger.
“We offered to fight him and the UFC agreed,” Kottenstette told Sherdog.com. “We were preparing contract negotiations, but Jimmie didn’t want anything to do with John. Jimmie was pulled off the car because he didn’t want to with John.”
Added Dodson: “[UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby] gave me the option of going ahead and jumping on that card.