Jimmie Rivera wants rematch vs. Howard Davis for vacant BKFC featherweight title

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Jimmie Rivera wants to run it back with Howard Davis, but with a championship belt on the line.

The former UFC contender fought Davis to a majority draw on the main card of Friday’s BKFC 26. It was Rivera’s bareknuckle boxing debut and first fight since his UFC departure in August 2021.

Rivera hopes to get a rematch booked and have the fight be for the vacant BKFC featherweight championship.

“We have to run it back for the title,” Rivera told MMA Junkie. “No one is the champ at 145, so we have to run it back and fight for the 145-pound belt. Once he’s healthy, I’m healthy, let’s f*cking do it.”

Rivera is not mad about the majority draw verdict. He said he saw it as a closely contested bout.  Overall, his experience fighting bareknuckle was a good one and plans to stick with it in addition to his MMA career.

“It was a close fight,” Rivera said. “It could’ve gone either way. It’s just good to be back in the ring and fight. Thanks, Dave (Feldman) for signing me, it was a blast.

“Howard Davis is a tough, humble kid, and he just brought the fight and I just loved it. I’ve been training and fighting for a while, so to be able to stick with the young guys, the 20-, 23-year-old guys, it’s fun.”