Marlon Vera is able to put his title-fight loss to Sean O’Malley behind him and begin his rebuild at UFC on ABC 7.
After getting into the octagon two dozen instances, Vera (21-9-1 MMA, 15-8 UFC) lastly acquired his long-awaited title shot in March with a rematch in opposition to Sean O’Malley. It didn’t go his method as he took a largely one-sided unanimous choice defeat at UFC 299 that despatched him again to the drafting board.
In line with “Chito,” the harm sustained within the loss to O’Malley wasn’t as unhealthy because it regarded superficially. He felt wholesome sufficient to ebook one other struggle lower than 5 months later and can tackle former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (23-3-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) on Saturday’s card at Etihad Area on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+).
“Why wait? That have from my final struggle, if I wait too lengthy, I sort of will, not neglect, however sort of get my toes too dry,” Vera informed MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I simply wished to remain lively. I’m feeling good within the health club with wrestling and sparring. Issues are transferring ahead. We made changes. Undoubtedly we made changes, and I’m feeling nice.”
Figueiredo is 2-0 since transferring as much as 135 kilos in December, having crushed Rob Font by choice in his divisional debut, then turning into the primary to submit former champion Cody Garbrandt in April at UFC 300.
Vera, 31, stated he respects what his Brazilian foe has finished to this point since altering weight lessons however thinks that is the struggle the place he’ll notice flyweight is the higher match for his future.
“He’s an amazing fighter,” Vera stated. “He looks like he punches onerous, looks like he’s a powerful man. He’s been utilizing quite a lot of his jiu-jitsu and wrestling recently, so perhaps he feels that the ability and measurement distinction is an excessive amount of. However he took the bottom the final two opponents. Let’s see what he brings to the desk. I simply really feel like I’m going to make an instance of him, and I’m going to ship him again to (flyweight).”
Vera, No. 10 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings, stated he thinks he’s corrected the issues that went flawed in opposition to O’Malley and is assured he could make one other run on the title. He acknowledges it might’ve been simple to see his motivation fizzle after reaching a title struggle and falling brief, however it has solely fueled him extra.
“It might be the simplest factor to surrender and say, ‘This isn’t for me,’” Vera stated. “To be trustworthy, I’m very hungry. I simply need to present a great instance. Primarily to my children, to my household, to the those who love me. However on the finish of the day, it is a worldwide sport or enterprise, or no matter you need to name it. You’ll be able to encourage lots of people by simply displaying you possibly can come again.
“You may make changes in life. You’ll be able to rise up and get it finished, and that’s what I’m doing proper now. Why keep down when that’s the simplest choice? Simply let issues go? I’m not meant for that. I’m trying ahead to displaying what I can do.”
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