Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera reveals his home was broken into while in Miami for UFC 299 fight with Sean O’Malley

Marlon Chito VeraAs if the weekend wasn’t frustrating enough with his loss at UFC 299, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera had to deal…

Marlon Chito Vera

As if the weekend wasn’t frustrating enough with his loss at UFC 299, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera had to deal with some “f*cking a**hole” who broke into his house on top of it.

Vera returned to the Octagon on Saturday (March 9) for his first bantamweight title opportunity, challenging reigning and defending champion Sean O’Malley. After five rounds of entertaining action, ‘Sugar’ was declared the winner decisively, outstriking ‘Chito’ by a margin of 232 to 89.

28eaf470 dea9 11ee a77f f1a6a5f21a55

Adding insult to injury, ‘Chito’ recently revealed that his home was broken into ahead of his UFC 299 title tilt.

Marlon Chito Vera

“The context is last night there was a robbery,” Vera wrote on Instagram. They broke into our house. Though they are material things, they are things that have been bought with a lot of effort and hard work. But hey, these types of things happen and the truth is tonight will be a good one. Tonight the gold belt (as Eli calls it) will be ours. God with us and to the person who did it. I really hope he needed the money for something important. Much love.”

Who’s next for Marlon ‘chito’ vera following UFC 299

After coming up short against O’Malley, ‘Chito’ will go back to the drawing board as he hopes to secure a trilogy fight with the current 135-pound champ down the line. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for the Ecuadorian at the top of the bantamweight division.

Climbing back into the win column at UFC 299 was former titleholder Petr Yan who delivered a stellar performance against rising contender Song Yadong in the evening’s main card opener. Following the events of Saturday night, ‘No Mercy’ expressed interest in a fight with Vera which could ultimately lead him toward his own rematch with Sean O’Malley.

2072263583.0 1

There’s also former Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo who reneged on his promise to retire should he fail to secure a win over the bantamweight division’s top-ranked contender, Merab Dvalishvili, last month at UFC 298.

And don’t forget about former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo who makes his sophomore appearance 135 on April 13 at UFC 300. ‘Deus da Guerra’ will face the No. 3 ranked Cody Garbrandt with the winner putting themself in a very good position near the top of one of MMA’s most stacked divisions. The loser, however, could be the perfect bounce-back opportunity for the opportunistic Vera.

Who would you like to see Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera fight when he returns to the Octagon later this year?

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera promises to bounce back following brutal UFC 299 loss: ‘The belt will be mine one day’

Marlon 'Chito' Vera promises to bounce back following brutal UFC 299 loss: 'The belt will be mine one day'Carrying a ton of confidence from being the first and only fighter to hand bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley a…

Marlon 'Chito' Vera promises to bounce back following brutal UFC 299 loss: 'The belt will be mine one day'

Carrying a ton of confidence from being the first and only fighter to hand bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley a loss in his MMA career, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera was dealt a hard dose of reality during Saturday’s headliner in Miami, Florida.

From the opening bell, O’Malley was in complete control of their long-awaited rematch, using his speed and skill to bust up the Ecuadorian for a full 25 minutes. Vera undeniably proved his toughness, taking everything ‘Sugar’ had, and even folded the defending champ with a vicious body blow in the closing seconds of their UFC 299 headliner — a moral victory, but one that ultimately left him going home without the gold.

Chito Vera vs. Sean O'Malley

Still, ‘Chito’ has plenty of reason to hold his head high and is already looking ahead to a future trilogy fight with O’Malley.

“I dream about last night my whole life and fell short at the end of the day,” he wrote on Instagram. “I will be back. Thanks to my family and team for being by my side. The love of Ecuador was felt more than ever, thank you for supporting me that way I will come back stronger, the belt will be mine one day.”

Marlon 'Chito' Vera

As for what could be next for Vera, a fight with former titleholder Petr Yan certainly makes a lot of sense. ‘No Mercy’ returned to the win column in the main card opener, delivering a solid performance against rising contender Song Yadong. It was Yan’s first win since suffering three-straight losses against Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, and Merab Dvalishvili.

Immediately following the UFC 299 main event, Yan called for a fight with ‘Chito’ before hoping to secure his own rematch with Sean O’Malley.

Sean O’Malley Unlikely to Get Ilia Topuria Fight following win over ‘Chito’ Vera

Sean O’Malley will likely put his title on the line against Merab Dvalishvili when he returns to the Octagon later this year. In February, ‘The Machine’ earned a decisive decision victory over Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo, securing his spot at the top of the stacked 135-pound division.

Despite there being a clear-cut contender to deal with, O’Malley expressed interest in going up a weight class to challenge newly minted featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria during his post-fight interview inside the Kaseya Center. As exciting as that fight sounds, UFC CEO Dana White is unlikely to grant his wish considering ‘Sugar’ just bagged his first successful defense while Topuria is yet to book his first fight as a defending champion.

Sean O’Malley batters Chito Vera in lopsided title fight rematch decision win – UFC 299 Highlights

Sean O'Malley batters Chito Vera in dominant title fight rematch win at UFC 299 HighlightsUndisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley remains just that come the conclusion of UFC 299 tonight — with the Montana…

Sean O'Malley batters Chito Vera in dominant title fight rematch win at UFC 299 Highlights

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley remains just that come the conclusion of UFC 299 tonight — with the Montana native avenging his sole professional loss in a dominant and one-sided decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-44) win over title chaser, Marlon Vera in the pair’s championship rematch tonight in Miami, Florida.

Blisteringly outstriking Vera over the course of all five rounds tonight at UFC 299, Dana White’s Contender Series alum, O’Malley retains his bantamweight crown with tonight’s victory over the gutsy Chone native, Vera — bloodying and battering the Ecuadorian.

Sean OMalley UFC 299 2
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Avenging his 2020 loss to Vera in tonight’s main event clash, O’Malley claimed he was now once more undefeated as a result of his win over the former.

Sean OMalley UFC 299
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

And despite surging number one contender, Merab Dvalishvili waiting firmly in the wings to fight O’Malley next — the bantamweight kingpin called for a championship rise to the featherweight limit against newly-minted gold holder, Ilia Topuria next, urging UFC CEO, Dana White to organize a super fight between the duo in Spain.

Below, catch the highlights from Sean O’Malley’s rematch win over Chito Vera

Sean O’Malley heckled by crowd during UFC 299 presser, blasts arch rival Chito Vera: ‘He’s a piñata’

Sean O'Malley heckled by crowd during UFC 299 press conference labels Chito Vera a piñata in heated face offRemaining supremely confident of landing his first successful bantamweight title defense this weekend at UFC 299, Sean O’Malley branded…

Sean O'Malley heckled by crowd during UFC 299 press conference labels Chito Vera a piñata in heated face off

Remaining supremely confident of landing his first successful bantamweight title defense this weekend at UFC 299, Sean O’Malley branded incoming foe, Marlon Vera a “piñata” ahead of their championship rematch – receiving his fair share of boos and heckles to boot during tonight’s pre-fight press conference.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight titleholder, is slated to make his return to the Octagon this weekend in Miami, Florida – taking on former opponent, Vera in a championship grudge fight atop UFC 299 in the ‘Sunshine State’. 

Attempting to avenge his first promotional loss, Montana native, Sean O’Malley dropped his perfect professional record in first round ground strikes TKO loss to the Ecuadorian back in 2020 during the duo’s initial rise through the bantamweight ranks.

Sean O’Malley takes aim at Chito Vera during UFC 299 presser

And sharing the stage with the Chone native tonight ahead of their grudge clash at the Kaseya Center in Miami, O’Malley attempted to jab at Vera, calling him a “piñata” as well as hitting out at former foe, Petr Yan – and likely next title challenger, Merab Dvalishvili – who is also set to serve as the official backup fighter to this weekend’s main event clash

Facing off with Vera to close out the night’s press event in Miami – O’Malley, sporting a green shimmering robe – of sorts, shared an intense face-off with the soel fighter to beat him, with security and UFC officials keeping a close eye on their coming together.

UFC 299 takes place this weekend at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida – with the undisputed bantamweight title fight between O’Malley and Vera slated to take main event honors.

UFC 299 Presser
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

In the night’s co-main event, former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier takes on surging Nimes native, Benoit Saint-Denis in a five round clash, however, speculation has been rife regarding the Frenchman’s condition, with fans appearing to spot a potential staph infection on the contender’s forehead ahead of fight night. 

Who wins this weekend in Miami at UFC 299: Sean O’Malley or Chito Vera?

Joe Rogan joins Daniel Cormier as commentary team set for massive UFC 299 title fight in Florida

Joe Rogan joins Daniel Cormier as commentary team set for massive UFC 299 title fight in FloridaReturning for his second consecutive pay-per-view card of the year, veteran color-commenator, Joe Rogan will be joined in a…

Joe Rogan joins Daniel Cormier as commentary team set for massive UFC 299 title fight in Florida

Returning for his second consecutive pay-per-view card of the year, veteran color-commenator, Joe Rogan will be joined in a three-man booth for the first time this year by Hall of Fame inductee and former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier – with the duo calling the action at UFC 299 alongside play-by-play lead, Jon Anik,

Returning to flagship duty last month in Anaheim, California, Rogan was joined by the above-mentioned Anik and former undisputed middleweight champion, and Hall of Fame star, MIchael Bisping – who replaced Cormier, with the trio watching on as Ilia Topuria snatched featherweight gold from dominant kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski. 

And ahead of UFC 299 this weekend, MMA Junkie have revealed Joe Rogan will be joined in the commentary booth by usual suspects, Anik, and the returning Cormier to call the action in ‘The Sunshine State’.

Joe Rogan joins Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik at UFC 299

Headlining the flagship card is an undisputed bantamweight title fight between divisional champion, Sean O’Malley – and incoming title challenger, Ecuadorian favorite, Marlon Vera in a title rematch. Surging divisional contender, Merab Dvalishvili was also confirmed as the official backup fighter to this weekend’s main event to boot. 

As far as desk duties go – former light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen joins light heavyweight contender, Anthony Smith, and veteran boxing coach, Teddy Atlas. 

Returning to schedule, fan-favorite roving reporter, Megan Olivi returns and takes duty to provide updates and real-time interviews with athletes and personalities during and post-fight and card. Furthermore, veteran Octagon announcer, Bruce Buffer joins the broadcast for UFC 299 this weekend. 

Also set to feature on the heralded card at the Kaseya Center is a high-stakes lightweight co-main event – scheduled to take place over the course of five rounds, with former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier taking on the surging French contender, Benoit Saint-Denis

Former undisputed champions, Petr Yan and Rafael dos Anjos also return on the card – taking on contenders, Song Yadong, and Mateusz Gamrot respectively.

Are you happy to hear Joe Rogan call the action at UFC 299 this weekend?

Official – Merab Dvalishvili set to serve as backup for UFC 299 title fight headliner, already cutting weight

Merab Dvalishvili set to serve as backup to UFC 299 title fight main event already cutting weightSurging bantamweight challenger, Merab Dvalishvili will officially serve as the backup fighter to this weekend’s UFC 299 headliner between…

Merab Dvalishvili set to serve as backup to UFC 299 title fight main event already cutting weight

Surging bantamweight challenger, Merab Dvalishvili will officially serve as the backup fighter to this weekend’s UFC 299 headliner between Sean O’Malley, and Marlon Vera – with the divisional crown on the line atop the pay-per-view card in Miami, Florida.

Dvalishvili, the current number one ranked bantamweight contender, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 298 just last month in a title-eliminator against former two-division champion, Henry Cejudo, turning in a dominant win over the Olympic gold medalist to extend his unbeaten winning spree to a whopping 10 straight fights.

Merab Dvalishvili will serve as backup to UFC 299 main event

And staking his claim for a championship tangle against either current champion, O’Malley or incoming title challenger, Vera come the conclusion of UFC 299 this weekend in ‘The Sunshine State’ – in the eventuality that his services are required, Tbilisi native, Dvalishvili will serve as the official backup fighter to this weekend’s main event bout.

“Booked @MerabDvalishvil is headed to Miami tmrw for #UFC299 as the official title fight back up,” Merab Dvalishvili’s management firm, KOReps posted on their official X account. “Let’s make it a pink panty night! #MiamiMerab”

Backed as a surefire title challenger in the future, Dvalishvili had previously landed wins over the likes of former bantamweight champion, Petr Yan, as well as an impressive come-from-behind win over former title chaser, Marlon Moraes in standout performances – as well as a decision success against former featherweight kingpin and Hall of Fame inductee, Jose Aldo during his current winning run. 

UFC 299 takes place on March 9. from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, with an undisputed bantamweight championship fight between undisputed champion, Sean O’Malley, and Ecuadorian challenger, Marlon Vera slated to take main event honors currently. 

The co-headlining slot welcomes the return of former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier in a five round clash with surging French finisher, Benoit Saint-Denis to boot – as part of a heralded main card.

Do you expect Merab Dvalishvili to fight for the title after UFC 299?