‘Going to send him back’ Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera looking to stop Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi

'Going to send him back' Marlon 'Chito' Vera looking to stop Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu DhabiReturning this weekend in a potential bantamweight championship eliminator, most recent title chaser, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera has vowed to…

'Going to send him back' Marlon 'Chito' Vera looking to stop Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi

Returning this weekend in a potential bantamweight championship eliminator, most recent title chaser, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera has vowed to turn back former two-time flyweight best, Deiveson Figueiredo in the Brazilian’s quest for a second title reign a division higher.

Vera, a former bantamweight championship challenger, currently holds the number four rank at 135lbs, most recently dropping a hugely one-sided unanimous decision loss to the incumbent, Sean O’Malley in their title grudge match re-run at UFC 299 back in March in Miami.

chito vera

As for Figueiredo, the former flyweight titleholder twice, turned in the most high-profile win of his bantamweight tenure so far at UFC 300, opening the card with an impressive second round rear-naked choke win over former champion, Cody Garbrandt in his sophomore outing at 135lbs. 

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Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera vows to stop Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi

WIth both keeping a firm eye on next month’s title affair at Noche UFC between O’Malley and the streaking, Merab Dvalishvili – Chone native, Vera has plans to finish Figueiredo this weekend in Abu Dhabi and knock back his surge.

Marlon Vera, USADA, UFC
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

“He’s (Deiveson Figueiredo) a great fighter,” Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera told MMA Junkie. “He seems like he punches hard, seems like he’s a strong guy. He’s been using a lot of Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling lately, so maybe he feels that the power and size difference [at bantamweight] are too much. But he took to ground the last two opponents. Let’s see what he brings to the table. I just feel like I’m going to make an example of him, and I’m going to send him back to [flyweight].”

Prior to his booking against Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera and submission of ex-champion, Garbrandt, Brazilian finisher, Figueiredo made a successful bantamweight bow at UFC Austin last December, taking home a comprehensive decision win over Rob Font over the course of three rounds in a main card bantamweight debut.

Who wins at UFC Abu Dhabi: Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera or Deiveson Figueiredo?