“A victory over someone like him, it puts me directly in line to fight for the belt.”
Rising bantamweight Marlon Vera believes a win over Jose Aldo at UFC Vegas 17 puts him in line for a title shot, per a recent interview with MMA Junkie.
‘Chito’ earned a massive upset TKO victory over Sean O’Malley in the UFC 252 co-main event and, besides his decision loss to Song Yadong at UFC on ESPN 8, the Ecuadorian has racked up almost six straight stoppage wins over the last two years.
Speaking to the media ahead of UFC Vegas 17, Vera stated his case for a title shot with a win over ‘Scarface’ on Saturday.
“Yeah, 100 percent, that’s the idea of asking for one of these fights,” Vera said. A victory over someone like him, it puts me directly in line to fight for the belt,” (Translated & Transcribed by MMA Junkie).
“He was coming off a title fight, which on the business end if I beat someone who’s coming off a title loss, that puts me in line. We asked for him, Edgar or Cruz, and I got him. So I’m happy about the opportunity. I’m prepared, and I can’t wait to do my job.”
UFC Fight Night 183, which features a headlining welterweight bout between Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal, takes place on Dec. 19 at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas.