Marlon Verla showed why he’s a future bantamweight title contender at UFC Vegas 53 tonight by defeating Rob Font in a contender for fight of the year.
The unanimous decision victory was Vera’s third in succession, with the 29-year-old having previously defeated Davey Grant and Frankie Edgar last year. Font, meanwhile, is now on a two-fight losing streak, having lost a decision to José Aldo in December.
The fast-paced main event bout saw both fighters exchange a high volume of strikes, with Font initially gaining the advantage. However, in round two, Vera sent Font sprawling to the canvas and almost finished him with ground and pound.
Font recovered in round three to take the advantage on the feet, but a huge knee from Vera knocked Font down and he was almost put away yet again. Font was sent to the canvas for a third time in round four thanks to a massive head kick from Vera. But the American made an admirable recovery in the final round, matching Vera on the feet before the Ecuadorian landed yet another head kick late on that seriously wobbled Font.
With this win over the #5-ranked bantamweight Font, we can expect the #8 ranked Vera to enter the division’s top five in the coming days.
You can catch all the highlights of the main event below.
SAVED BY THE BELL
#UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/qpx31Wucmn
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
Chito CAN'T WAIT for round 3 to get started
[ @ChitoVeraUFC | #UFCVegas53 ] pic.twitter.com/Qdk0B0mB2u
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
This was Marlon “Chito” Vera’s third win in a row.
ROB SURVIVES & WE'RE GOING TO THE FOURTH
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
Vera stunned Font with a vicious knee
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 1, 2022
Couldn't have said it any better @Jon_Anik – what a fight
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
First main event, first main event victory
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
Hard work pays off
[ @ChitoVeraUFC | #UFCVegas53 ] pic.twitter.com/9MA8sKiFhb
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
Now, let’s see how fighters reacted to Vera’s victory over Font at UFC Vegas 53.
Chito Vera is a Problem with a capital P! I got my eye on you
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 1, 2022
Wow
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) May 1, 2022
@RobSFont vs @chitoveraUFC is
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) May 1, 2022
right now
Font and Vera is
Crazy pace for a 5 rounder #UFCVegas53— Joshua Culibao (@culibaomma) May 1, 2022
WHAT A FIGHT!!!
#UFCVegas53— Diana Belbi?? (@DianaBelbita) May 1, 2022
UFC Vegas 53: Font vs. Vera Results & Highlights
MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 53. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.
Continue Reading Fighters React To Vera Outworking Font at UFC Vegas 53 at MMA News.