Marlon “Chito” Vera is looking to get back in the win column in his next UFC fight against Pedro Munhoz and also potentially targeting a rematch with Sean O’Malley, purporting such a matchup would be significantly lucrative.
Marlon “Chito” Vera is under immense pressure at UFC 292, with the stakes raised to an all-time high for him. This upcoming fight against Pedro Munhoz not only provides an opportunity for him to overcome his recent disappointing performance against Cory Sandhagen in March, but it also offers the potential for major outcomes depending on the main event between bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. Intriguingly, Vera is the only one who has thus far defeated O’Malley. If O’Malley wins the title at UFC 292, it could set the stage for a highly anticipated rematch between the two rivals.
Vera is candid about his willingness to fight O’Malley again, believing it would be a financially rewarding event. In his words, “That’s just money right there and I don’t leave money on the table. If we go and win this Saturday, we can fight November, December, next month, any time. It’s a great payday for both and it’s business.” He further indicated that the fight might become inevitable if he prevails on Saturday night. This confident assertion may not sit well with other bantamweight contenders, but Vera raises a valid point about potentially lucrative matchups with O’Malley that could facilitate substantial pay-per-view sales.
Of course, lingering obstacles that might hinder this outcome include a defeat from Munhoz or a shortfall from O’Malley against Sterling. Vera aims to establish his dominance over Munhoz through his distinctive fighting style, but acknowledges that O’Malley has a steep climb towards the championship against Sterling. He praises Sterling’s past performances and ability to maintain his title despite various challenges and public opinion.
However, regarding O’Malley’s record, Vera questions the legitimacy of his spot in the championship. He believes O’Malley’s track record has been somewhat inflated, comparing it to a “boxing record.” He’s critical of O’Malley’s rapid rise in the ranks despite having only one significant win over top 15 bantamweights. Despite the criticism, Vera is aware that the outcome of the fight is unpredictable, and that an O’Malley win could be more beneficial for his own career. He emphasized that his focus is on his fight with Munhoz, and plans to address any future matches after that.