Rivera: Coaching Changes Behind Resurgence

“To be very honest with you, everything in my life has changed,” Rivera said during a pre-fight press conference for UFC 122 on Thursday. “I feel I’ve always had the potential to do well. If you want to be brutally honest, I’ll be brutally honest. I feel I’ve gotten better with trainers who actually know me and know how to train me properly.”

When Rivera meets Alessio Sakara at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, on Saturday, the 38-year-old Massachusetts native will look for his fourth consecutive win in the UFC. It is a feat few would have thought possible just two short years ago, when Rivera was alternating impressive victories and crushing defeats on the middle rungs of the UFC’s 185-pound ladder.

Rivera was dealt another heartbreaking blow in August 2008, when his 17-year-old daughter, Janessa, passed away suddenly. While his return to fighting was left in doubt for a time, Rivera made a triumphant return in April 2009, besting Nissen Osterneck in a close split decision at UFC Fight Night 18.

Shortly thereafter, “El Conquistador” left longtime trainer Mark Dellagrotte and Team Sityodtong in order to work with the likes of Tim Burrill, Peter Welch and Scott Rehm. The rejuvenated Rivera has since defeated Nate Quarry and Rob Kimmons, both by technical knockout.

“I feel like, hands down, everything has gotten better,” said Rivera. “And my quality of life has gotten better, too. And after this Saturday, if everything goes down how I plan it, things will get even better.”

With a tidy winning streak in place, does Rivera feel he is rising to the top of the middleweight ranks?

“I’ll let [UFC matchmaker Joe Silva] tell me where I fit in the middleweights right now,” Rivera said with a smile. “I think Alessio has proved his mettle. I think a win over him is gonna bump me up.”