Aljamain Sterling, Jimmie Rivera to Clash at UFC’s ESPN Debut in Phoenix

A bantamweight showdown pitting Aljamain Sterling against Jimmie Rivera is set for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s debut on ESPN, according to a report from AZCentral.com.

The Las Vegas-based promotion has not officially announced the pairing. UFC on ESPN 1 takes place at Talking Stick Resort in Phoenix on Feb. 17 on airs on the main ESPN Network following prelims on ESPN+. The card is also expected to include a strawweight bout between Jodie Esquibel and Jessica Penne.

The 29-year-old Sterling has won four of his last five UFC appearances. In his last outing, “Funk Master” submitted prospect Cody Stamann with a kneebar 4:02 into the second round of their bout at UFC 228.

After seeing his 20-bout winning streak come to an end at the hands of Marlon Moraes in June, Rivera returned to the win column with a three-round verdict over John Dodson at UFC 228.