• UFC 127

Sakara would have been tougher than Bisping - Rivera

ESPN staff
February 12, 2011
MMA Live

Jorge Rivera has laughed off claims that Michael Bisping is a middleweight title contender by claiming the Briton is not even as good as Alessio Sakara.

Rivera touches gloves with Bisping in the co-main event at UFC 127, although the bout almost had to be cancelled due to a problem with the Briton's arm. Bisping believes victory would leave him one more victory away from a shot at Anderson Silva's crown, with a potential title eliminator in the offing later this year.

The UFC 127 bout will take place almost a year after Rivera's last outing, a victory over Nate Quarry, which extended his winning streak to three fights. El Conquistador had been slated to fight Sakara at UFC 122, but Sakara had to pull out due to illness.

Now it is widely acknowledged that a win over Bisping would be far more beneficial for Rivera's career, but talking on ESPN's MMA Live, he revealed Sakara would have been a greater test of his skills.

"The truth is, I think Sakara is the better fighter. Sakara would have been a tougher fight," Rivera told MMA Live.

"I don't think Bisping is the quality fighter that he thinks he is. We're about to find out in two weeks."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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