Dante Rivera
Encyclopedia
Dante Rivera is an American
professional
mixed martial arts
(MMA) fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7 making it to the quarterfinals where he was defeated by Jesse Taylor
.
. 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.
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.
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.
|Win
|15-6
|
Dan Cramer
|Decision (Split)
|Elite MMA: MMA Mayhem
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Jackson, New Jersey, United States
|
|-
|Win
|14-6
| Ryan Contaldi
|Submission
|UCC 2: Strikedown
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|
|Jersey City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|13-6
| Herbert Goodman
|Decision (Unanimous)
|Adrenaline MMA: New Breed
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|13-5
| Justin Haskins
| Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
| Ring of Combat 27
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|3:51
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|12-5
| Lamont Lister
| Submission (Guillotine Choke)
| Ring of Combat 24
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1:25
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|11-5
| Paul Bradley
| TKO (Punches)
| Ring of Combat 22
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|0:34
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|11-4
| Matt Riddle
| Decision (Unanimous)
| The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|11-3
| Nissim Levy
| TKO
| IFL: 2007 Semifinals
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|1:15
|East Rutherford, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|10-3
| Alex Aquino
| Submission (Heel Hook)
| CFFC 5: Two Worlds, One Cage
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|2:41
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|9-3
| Tim Kennedy
| Submission (Punches)
| IFL: Atlanta
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|2:29
|Atlanta, Georgia
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|9-2
| Eric Charles
| Submission (Arm Triangle Choke)
| CFFC 3: Battleground
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|4:51
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|8-2
|
Eric Tavares
| TKO (Referee Stoppage)
| CITC 3: Marked Territory
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|4:44
|Lincroft, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|7-2
| Mike Massenzio
| Decision (Unanimous)
| RF 13: Battle at the Beach
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Wildwood, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|7-1
| Ronald Stalling
| Decision (Unanimous)
| Reality Fighting 11
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|6-1
| Jerry Spiegel
| Submission (Triangle Choke)
| Reality Fighting 10
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1:26
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|5-1
| Josh Pupa
| Submission (Guillotine Choke)
| Reality Fighting 9
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|3:59
|Wildwood, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|4-1
| Lance Everson
| Decision (Unanimous)
| Reality Fighting 8
|
|align="center"|5
|align="center"|5:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|4-0
| Jose Rodriguez
| TKO
| Ring of Combat 7
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|4:37
|New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|3-0
| Jay Handley
| Submission (Guillotine)
| Reality Fighting 7
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|2-0
| Lionel Cortes
| Decision
| Reality Fighting 6
|
|align="center"|5
|align="center"|5:00
|Wildwood, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|1-0
| Chris Scanlon
| Decision (Unanimous)
| SF 1 - Bragging Rights
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|5:00
|Bayonne, New Jersey
, United States
|
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
(MMA) fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7 making it to the quarterfinals where he was defeated by Jesse Taylor
Jesse Taylor
Jesse Marcus Taylor is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, winning his entry, preliminary, quarterfinal and semi-final matches, and then became the only fighter to ever be removed from finals due to events that occurred...
.
The Ultimate Fighter
Dante was selected to be a part of the seventh season of The Ultimate FighterThe Ultimate Fighter
The Ultimate Fighter is an American reality television series and mixed martial arts competition produced by Spike TV and the Ultimate Fighting Championship , and soon to be shown on FX. The show features unknown, professional MMA fighters living together in Las Vegas, Nevada, and follows them as...
. 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
Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin is an American mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC light heavyweight champion....
. 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
Jesse Taylor
Jesse Marcus Taylor is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, winning his entry, preliminary, quarterfinal and semi-final matches, and then became the only fighter to ever be removed from finals due to events that occurred...
. 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.
UFC career
Dante fought Matt Riddle at the TUF 7 Finale. Dante was defeated by Riddle via decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). When asked by Joe RoganJoe Rogan
Joseph James "Joe" Rogan is an American comedian, video blogger, actor, writer, podcaster, and martial artist. He is best known for his work on NewsRadio, his work as color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and his hosting work on Fear Factor.-Acting:In 1994, Rogan co-starred on...
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 WECWEC
-Organizations:* Westinghouse Electric Company, the multinational company supplying nuclear services, fuel, and power plants* Wisconsin Energy Corporation ticker symbol* Wireless Experimental Centre a British wartime codebreaking establishment in Delhi, India...
vet, Justin Haskins.
Rivera fought fellow TUF alumni, Dan Cramer
Dan Cramer
Daniel John Cramer is an American mixed martial artist. He was a competitor on SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs Team Forrest. Cramer currently fights for Bellator Fighting Championships in their middleweight division....
, 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.
Mixed martial arts record
|-|Win
|15-6
|
Dan CramerDan Cramer
Daniel John Cramer is an American mixed martial artist. He was a competitor on SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs Team Forrest. Cramer currently fights for Bellator Fighting Championships in their middleweight division....
|Decision (Split)
|Elite MMA: MMA Mayhem
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Jackson, New Jersey, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|14-6
|
Ryan Contaldi|Submission
|UCC 2: Strikedown
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|
|Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|13-6
|
Herbert GoodmanHerbert Goodman
Herbert "Whisper" Goodman is an American mixed martial artist and former NFL runningback for the Green Bay Packers.-NFL career:...
|Decision (Unanimous)
|Adrenaline MMA: New Breed
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|13-5
|
Justin Haskins| Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
| Ring of Combat 27
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|3:51
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|12-5
|
Lamont Lister| Submission (Guillotine Choke)
| Ring of Combat 24
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1:25
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|11-5
|
Paul Bradley| TKO (Punches)
| Ring of Combat 22
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|0:34
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|11-4
|
Matt Riddle| Decision (Unanimous)
| The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|11-3
|
Nissim Levy| TKO
| IFL: 2007 Semifinals
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|1:15
|East Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|10-3
|
Alex Aquino| Submission (Heel Hook)
| CFFC 5: Two Worlds, One Cage
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|2:41
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|9-3
|
Tim KennedyTim F Kennedy
Timothy Fred Kennedy is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights for the MMA promotion Strikeforce. He is one of the only fighters to simultaneously serve full time in the United States Army while fighting professionally....
| Submission (Punches)
| IFL: Atlanta
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|2:29
|Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|9-2
|
Eric Charles| Submission (Arm Triangle Choke)
| CFFC 3: Battleground
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|4:51
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|8-2
|
Eric Tavares| TKO (Referee Stoppage)
| CITC 3: Marked Territory
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|4:44
|Lincroft, New Jersey
Lincroft, New Jersey
Lincroft is a part of Middletown Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the Lincroft census-designated place had a population was 6,135.-Geography:Lincroft is located at ....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|7-2
|
Mike MassenzioMike Massenzio
Mike Vito Massenzio is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He wrestled in New Jersey and was a two-time high school state champion in 2000 and 2001 at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey. Additionally in 2001,...
| Decision (Unanimous)
| RF 13: Battle at the Beach
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a popular summer resort destination. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's year-round population was 5,325...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|7-1
|
Ronald Stalling| Decision (Unanimous)
| Reality Fighting 11
|
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|5:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|6-1
|
Jerry Spiegel| Submission (Triangle Choke)
| Reality Fighting 10
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1:26
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|5-1
|
Josh Pupa| Submission (Guillotine Choke)
| Reality Fighting 9
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|3:59
|Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a popular summer resort destination. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's year-round population was 5,325...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|4-1
|
Lance Everson| Decision (Unanimous)
| Reality Fighting 8
|
|align="center"|5
|align="center"|5:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|4-0
|
Jose Rodriguez| TKO
| Ring of Combat 7
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|4:37
|New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|3-0
|
Jay Handley| Submission (Guillotine)
| Reality Fighting 7
|
|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|2-0
|
Lionel Cortes| Decision
| Reality Fighting 6
|
|align="center"|5
|align="center"|5:00
|Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a popular summer resort destination. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's year-round population was 5,325...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|1-0
|
Chris Scanlon| Decision (Unanimous)
| SF 1 - Bragging Rights
|
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|5:00
|Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is a peninsula that is situated between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|