Dante Rivera

Dante Rivera (born August 12, 1974) is an American retired mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7 making it to the quarterfinals where he was defeated by Jesse Taylor.

Rivera is the owner of Dante Rivera Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Freehold Township, New Jersey.

Mixed martial arts career

The Ultimate Fighter Dante was selected to be a part of the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter. In order to get into the house and actually compete on the show, Rivera had to fight John Wood, a training partner of Forrest Griffin. Rivera defeated Wood via kimura submission and was then selected to be a part of Griffin's team. In the first round of the tournament, Rivera was matched up against Brandon Sene, defeating him via decision and moving him onto the next round. Rivera's next fight came against teammate Jesse Taylor. Taylor defeated Rivera via unanimous decision and ended Rivera's chances of winning the show.

During the show, Rivera was consistently shown arguing with the young and inexperienced Matt Riddle. Dante, on more the one occasion, stated that he would retire if Riddle defeated him.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Dante fought Matt Riddle at the TUF 7 Finale. Dante was defeated by Riddle via decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). When asked by Joe Rogan if he will retire as he had stated on The Ultimate Fighter, Dante declined and said he would continue to fight. After the loss, he was released from his contract.

Post UFC He made his post UFC debut against a castoff from The Ultimate Fighter 7, Paul Bradley. Rivera was defeated after being knocked out before the minute mark. He bounced back with a win over Lamont Lister and a win over WEC vet, Justin Haskins.

Rivera fought fellow TUF alumni, Dan Cramer, for a small New Jersey promotion. After three rounds, the fight went to the judges and Rivera was awarded the victory via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27). Many spectators were upset with the decision believing that Rivera had dominated the fight and had convincingly won all three rounds. According to his Twitter he frequently works to increase his cardio by innovating the art of dynamic rollerblading.

Bellator MMA Rivera made his promotional debut against former Bellator welterweight champion Lyman Good on April 4, 2013 at Bellator 95. Good defeated Rivera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).

Rivera was expected to face promotional newcomer Nah-Shon Burrell on November 15, 2013 at Bellator 108. However, Rivera was removed from the card due to undisclosed reasons and Burrell was rescheduled to face Jesus Martinez. Dante Rivera won his last Bellator fight win a dominant performance against tough fighter Gemiyale Adkins.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Gemiyale Adkins Decision (unanimous) Bellator 118

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Lyman Good Decision (unanimous) Bellator 95

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Dan Cramer Decision (split) Elite MMA: MMA Mayhem

Jackson, New Jersey, United States Win

Ryan Contaldi Submission UCC 2: Strikedown

Jersey City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Herbert Goodman Decision (unanimous) Adrenaline MMA: New Breed

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For the vacant Adrenaline MMA Middleweight Championship. Win

Justin Haskins Submission (rear naked choke) Ring of Combat 27

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Lamont Lister Submission (guillotine choke) Ring of Combat 24

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Paul Bradley TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 22

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For the vacant Ring of Combat Middleweight Championship. Loss

Matt Riddle Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Nissim Levy TKO IFL: 2007 Semifinals

East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Win

Alex Aquino Submission (heel hook) Cage Fury Fighting Championships 5

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Tim Kennedy Submission (punches) IFL: Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Eric Charles Submission (arm triangle choke) Cage Fury Fighting Championships 3

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the CFFC Middleweight Championship. Win

Eric Tavares TKO (referee stoppage) CITC 3: Marked Territory

Lincroft, New Jersey, United States Loss

Mike Massenzio Decision (unanimous) RF 13: Battle at the Beach

Wildwood, New Jersey, United States Win

Ronald Stallings Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting 11

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the Reality Fighting Middleweight Championship. Win

Jerry Spiegel Submission (triangle choke) Reality Fighting 10

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the vacant Reality Fighting Middleweight Championship. Win

Josh Pupa Submission (guillotine choke) Reality Fighting 9

Wildwood, New Jersey, United States Loss

Lance Everson Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting 8

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For the Reality Fighting Light Heavyweight Championship. Win

Jose Rodriguez TKO Ring of Combat 7

New Jersey, United States Won the vacant Ring of Combat Light Heavyweight Championship. Win

Jay Handley Submission (guillotine) Reality Fighting 7

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (190 lbs) bout. Win

Lionel Cortes Decision Reality Fighting 6

Wildwood, New Jersey, United States Middleweight debut. Win

Chris Scanlon Decision (unanimous) SF 1 - Bragging Rights

Bayonne, New Jersey, United States