'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4. Marlon Vera vs. Dominick Cruz
Another fighter who Marlon Vera has called out since his win over Rob Font this weekend is former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. In this instance, assuming Vera jumps into the top five following his win over Font, he’d actually be facing an opponent ranked below him.
However, in this case, the match would probably work perfectly. Cruz, who is currently ranked at No.7, has already claimed that he’s looking to win the bantamweight title back this year. If that’s his aim, then he’ll need to beat some of the current top contenders to get there.
From Vera’s point of view, though, this bout would also make sense despite ‘The Dominator’ likely being ranked below him. That’s because Cruz still has a big name with the UFC thanks to his two runs as bantamweight kingpin. His reputation with the fans is still high, too.
If ‘Chito’ could knock off the former champion, then – and he’d probably be favored to do so given his current form – it’d probably be considered the biggest win of his career and would almost certainly move him in line for a title eliminator, if not a title shot outright.
It’d be a tricky bout for the Ecuadorian given Cruz’s unorthodox style and experience. However, given that ‘The Dominator’ is now 37 years old, if there’s a good time to be fighting him, it’s probably now. Overall, this one would make an excellent headline bout for a UFC Fight Night card.
#3. Marlon Vera vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Traditionally, unless they’re trying to protect someone, the UFC loves to test a prospective contender against an opponent who could capitalize on any holes they might have remaining in their game. It’s a policy that does make sense, as it ensures any title challenger is almost certainly ‘for real’.
With that in mind, despite the fact that he’s likely to be below Marlon Vera in the rankings this week, the UFC may well choose to match ‘Chito’ up with Merab Dvalishvili. ‘The Machine’ has not fought since his victory over Marlon Moraes last September, but he’d provide Vera with a huge test thanks to his powerful wrestling skills.
The Georgian fighter is probably the best takedown artist in the bantamweight division. He’s never failed to ground an opponent during his UFC career and holds the record for takedowns landed at 135 pounds with a total of 50.
Vera, meanwhile, has shown himself to be both a fantastic striker and submission artist. He’s also a consummate and dangerous finisher both standing and on the ground. However, most of his recent fights have come against strikers and we don’t know how he’d operate off his back for long periods of time.
The UFC may choose against booking this fight purely because ‘Chito’ seems to be catching on with the fans as a potential star right now while Dvalishvili remains somewhat of an under-the-radar fighter. If they were to book it, fireworks would likely ensue, making it a possible option for sure.
