Francisco Rivera needs just 21 seconds to finish Alex Caceres
Francisco Rivera only needed to land two big punches on the feet to put Alex Caceres down and out early in the first round to kick off UFC Fight Night from New Orleans on Saturday night.
It's well known that Rivera packs possibly the biggest pop of any fighter at 135 pounds, and Caceres made the mistake of standing in front of him after the two fighters stepped into the center of the Octagon.
Rivera was head hunting as soon as the fight started as he charged forward with a big overhand right that clubbed Caceres in the head.
The shot didn't knock him down, and Caceres continued to stay directly in front of Rivera, who made him pay for the mistake seconds later.
Rivera unleashed a huge left hook that cracked Caceres on the jaw and snapped his head around with a violent motion before he fell to the canvas. Rivera delivered another big shot on the ground as the referee swooped in to stop the fight.
"I feel like I'm one of the top bantamweights in the world. I have to prove it," Rivera said after getting the victory just 21 seconds into the first round.
Rivera was returning following an eye injury suffered in his last fight where former WEC champion Urijah Faber accidentally poked him during the second round of their bout last December.
Following his win, Rivera asked to face Faber again to settle some unfinished business.
"Hopefully I get a rematch," Rivera said. "I owe him two rounds."
