Jimmie Rivera withdraws from UFC Fight Night 103 after picking Marlon Vera over John Dodson

After injury forced Bryan Caraway to withdraw from next week’s UFC Fight Night 103, opponent Jimmie Rivera has now pulled himself from the card, as well.

MMAjunkie today confirmed with UFC officials that when Caraway was pulled from the event, Rivera was offered an opportunity to face either Marlon Vera or John Dodson, instead. Rivera initially accepted a fight with Vera but later changed his mind and will now wait for a future booking.

UFC officials have yet to announce Rivera’s removal, or what fight will be elevated to the UFC Fight Night 103 main card.

Featuring a featherweight main event between Yair Rodriguez and B.J. Penn, UFC Fight Night 103 takes place next Sunday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. The main card airs on FS1 following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Rivera told MMAFighting.com that he ultimately changed his mind because he didn’t want to “look like a bully.”

“All I ask, if it’s going to be replacement, give me someone who’s going to benefit me,” Rivera told MMAFighting.com. “If I fight Vera, it makes me look like a bully and I teach my kids not to be a bully. Plus, he’s got a daughter that he’s trying to make money to get her surgery done. I got a heart man, I can’t stand there and stop that.”

Vera’s camp did not immediately reply to an initial request for comment by MMAjunkie.

For more on UFC Fight Night 103, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.