He would face Patrick Cote (Pictures) to determine who would advance to the final. Cote staggered Dewees early and Edwins strength seemed to wane, but he gutted out the three-round experience. With his takedowns stifled and his defensive tactics defaulting to submission attempts it was clear to all that Cote would be meeting Lutter in the final.
Shonie Carter (Pictures) was a season-long irritation for Jorge Rivera (Pictures), thus inspiring The Phoney Carter Show. Rivera took on Cote in his TUF 4 bout, eating kick from the floor before being punished with strikes in the first round. He came back to attempt a choke in the second but the Canadian did enough to win.
Rivera, the USMMA light heavyweight champion and HOOKnSHOOT light heavyweight champion is 2-3 in the UFC. He debuted against David Loiseau (Pictures) and took the title contender the distance, winning a decision. Lee Murray (Pictures) and Rich Franklin (Pictures) submitted him in back-to-back appearances before taking a decision win over Dennis Hallman (Pictures). Like Dewees, Jorge returns to the UFC off a loss to Chris Leben (Pictures).
Theres no question Dewees is the superior grappler but Rivera has improved his submission defense. This was evident in the win over Dennis Hallman (Pictures), who, like Dewees, prefers to tap than smack you.
Jorges striking will put Edwin in some bad spots and like in the Cote bout he may not have the answers. Franklin was the last to tap Rivera and Jorge knows what to expect given the ground is where Dewees is at his best. Rivera wins with strikes.