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Marlon Vera is eyeing a comeback in New York, setting his sights on a former UFC champion for his next bout. Vera (23-9 MMA) recently faced Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA) at UFC 299 for the bantamweight title but lost via unanimous decision to the reigning champion, ‘Suga‘, in Miami, Florida. Undeterred by the setback, Vera is already planning his return.
During a recent appearance on ‘The MMA Hour’ with Ariel Helwani, Marlon Vera expressed his disappointment over the loss to O’Malley but remained optimistic about his future, stating his determination to win gold and seek revenge. He also revealed his desire to fight in New York, a city he loves and feels a connection to, saying,
“I feel I’m maybe from Queens. Hopefully I get to get on that card.”
Looking ahead, the 31-year-old mentioned his desired opponent for his next fight, expressing interest in a bout with Petr Yan (17-5 MMA). Vera had hoped to face Yan in November, considering it a logical and exciting matchup. Yan, a former champion, had recently defeated Song Yadong (21-8 MMA) at UFC 299, showcasing his skill and making him a compelling opponent for Vera.
However, Yan's victory came at a cost, as he suffered injuries including a ruptured ACL, torn meniscus, and groin, casting doubt on his return to action this year. Despite Yan's uncertain timeline, Vera remains hopeful for a future showdown with the former champion.
The prospect of ‘Chito’ vs. ‘No Mercy’ has intrigued fans, but with Yan's injury, Vera's next opponent remains uncertain. Fans are left wondering who Vera will face next if not Yan, eager to see the bantamweight contender back in the octagon.