Marlon “Chito” Vera knows the position he’s in at UFC Mexico City this Saturday.
Entering a co-main event assignment against David Martinez, the bantamweight star is looking to snap a three-fight skid dating back to his March 2025 title show against Sean O’Malley at UFC 299.
At the time, there’s been some question about Vera getting that title shot over the likes of Merab Dvalishvili. He had history with O’Malley, however, not to mention wins over Frankie Edgar and Dominick Cruz, a pair of Hall of Famers.
Two years later, and Vera is in a much more precarious spot. “I’m obviously in a complicated position, it’s no secret, but at the end of the day I have my health, my strength, my job, my drive and I’m ready to go out and fight with everything I’ve got on Saturday,” he said during Wednesday’s UFC Mexico City media day.
Asked if he’s looking to prove something, or honor what he’s already built at this point of his career, Vera stated that “more than anything else it’s about showing myself that after 25 fights [in the UFC] I’m still here, I’m still strong, I’m still fighting at the top of the division.” Vera noted that while some decisions didn’t go his way of late, “I fought with the top of the division, right?”
It might be a different story were he fighting outside the top of the 135lbs weight class, “and either they’re finishing me off, or there comes a moment where my chin isn’t there anymore,” he added. “So on that front I’m confident that I have my strength within me, and I’m very confident that things will go my way this weekend.”
Despite hailing from Ecuador, Chito Vera has historically had strong support from the Mexican fanbase. He hasn’t noticed that changing despite fighting a Mexican star in Martinez in Mexico City this time out. And it certainly doesn’t seem to worry him any. “I would understand the loyalty of a Mexican to his flag, to his fighter. I’ve already fought in almost everyone’s house. So for me, it’s just another fight.”
Watch the full UFC Mexico City media day appearance by Chito Vera above.
