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Rivera has channeled street fighting into MMA
SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to fighting, Eduardo Rivera doesn't need much motivation.
He's been fighting on the streets all his life. For the last couple of years, he's channeled his energy and talent into the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.
"When we have problems, we call Eduardo," said his older brother Carlos, who worked his corner in his rematch against Sean Whalen Saturday night in the World Championship Full Contact's Proving Ground at the Rail Event Center on Saturday. "He used to fight on the streets with his friends."
But the Peruvian native who now calls West Jordan home wasn't sure he wanted to fight Whalen again. Rivera knocked Whalen out in 36 seconds in their first fight last fall at the McKay Event Center. So when Whalen's coach called Rivera's coach, Rob Handley, he declined the offer.
"His coach said he wanted him to keep progressing, not to do the same thing," said Carlos Rivera. "Then he said, if he will come fight, he will double the pay and give him a house if he wins."
And while it took him about four minutes longer to beat Whalen the second time, Rivera knocked Whalen out at 4:26 of the first round to earn the win — and a house.
"I am so happy about the house," said Rivera as he grimaced in pain from what he believes are broken ribs. "My father is sick and I rent, so this is good for my family."
His brother said he loves the sport as much as he needs it.
"He fights because he loves to fight and he needs it," Carlos Rivera said.
And Rivera doesn't lack drive or talent, said his coach Handley, who trains him and two other athletes who competed Saturday night to a standing-room only crowd.
"He shouldn't try to take food from the poor," Handley said referring to Whalen. "He's a warrior; he was very confident."
The night of fights also featured a women's kick-boxing match between Brittany Howard and Andrea Miller. Howard hoped to fight her first professional mixed martial arts bout Saturday, but the woman she was to face backed out of the fight.
Instead, Miller offered to step in on Tuesday to fight kick boxing instead. Howard won the fight by decision.
"We had to switch up the game plan a bit, but it's part of the MMA training," said Howard, who is a member of the U.S. Air Force. "I was already partially there."
She took up boxing when she was in Iraq and Katar because, "there was nothing else to do."
Her trainer was her husband, also an Airman, who is currently in Korea.
"I do this because I love it," she said. "It's also my anger management."
Howard actually fought Tandi Schaeffer, of Orem, in November and lost. Afterward, the two decided it would be to their mutual benefit to train together.
"She's a great sparring partner," said Schaeffer, who worked Howard's corner Saturday night. "We just talked afterward and said we should train together. We should get together and spar."
The sport is so new that there aren't a lot of women interested in fighting. Howard hopes that changes as other women discover the thrill and physical benefits of the sport.
"I am hoping it will grow," she said. "For me, it's more of a hobby. It's something I enjoy."
Maclovia Perez
801-833-2793
Coordinadora Red de Peruanos en Utah
E-mail:redperuenutah@gmail.com
http://redperuenutah.blogspot.com/
Corresponsal Red Democratica del Peru
Rivera has channeled street fighting into MMA
