Jimmie Rivera is counting down the seconds until his next trip to the BKFC Squared Circle.
At BKFC 82 on Oct. 4, the Ramsey, NJ product will make history as a part of BKFC’s premiere in New Jersey at the legendary Prudential Center in Newark, LIVE worldwide on DAZN.
“This really is my backyard; I grew up 20 minutes from Newark,” the former BKFC World Featherweight Championship challenger says. “It’s always an honor to be a part of a historic event like this, and I’m extremely excited to put on a show so close to home.”
Sharing the Squared Circle with fellow New Jersey fighting icon Frankie Edgar is just icing on the cake for Rivera. But that’s certainly not because there’s any bad blood between the former training partners.
“I know everybody loves when there’s a bit of pre-fight drama, but at the end of the day we’re professionals and we don’t need any of that drama to put on an exciting fight,” Rivera says.
“Frankie and I know that we’ll both mean business when we get in there. We’re going to beat the (expletive) out of each other, but we’re definitely going to be sharing some drinks after it.
“We’re going to be celebrating because it’s going to be a legendary fight for the fans, it’s going to be an amazing time for both of us, and it’s going to steal the show on an already historic event.”
Rivera knows that BKFC is going to be a knockout in New Jersey.
“They’re going to love it,” he says with a smile.
“BKFC is its own sport in a league of its own. It’s a world-class event that’s full of high-pace, high-energy fights, and there’s no break time between fights — it’s just non-stop, action-packed entertainment.”
Rivera hopes a big win in the Garden State grants him a rematch with undefeated BKFC World Featherweight Champion “King” Kai Stewart — but he’s not looking past the task at hand.
“That’s definitely a fight that I want back, but I don’t hold those cards. I can only focus on what’s at hand right now, and that’s getting my hand raised in my next fight,” he says.
“All I’m focused on right now is winning.”
