BREAKING: Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen announced for UFC Fight Night main event on February 18

The UFC made a big announcement today as Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen will headline a UFC Fight Night scheduled for February 18 at the UFC Apex.

The top-ranked bantamweights will battle for position in a stacked division, and there could be major implications in the bout. Based on the current trajectory of the division, reigning champion Aljamain Sterling is rumored to be defending his title against the returning Henry Cejudo in March.

'Chito' is coming off a devastating fourth-round knockout win against former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, which extended his winning streak to four straight wins. Meanwhile, 'The Sandman' recently snapped his two-fight losing skid following a doctor's stoppage TKO win against Song Yadong.

Vera and Sandhagen both have an opportunity to get one step closer to earning a UFC bantamweight title shot. There is a lot of buzz surrounding it as there are many intriguing matchups and storylines that could play out in 2023.

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Marlon Vera responded to Cory Sandhagen calling him out

Cory Sandhagen wasted little time setting the stage for his next fight as he called out Marlon Vera and Merab Dvalishvili following his win against Song Yadon at UFC Fight Night 210.

'Chito' didn't shy away from the callout and mentioned that if 'The Sandman' wanted the fight, that's what he'll get:

"I'm not shy away from any fight. I'm a fighter, I fight anybody. I wanna be a world champion. If I wanna get there and get the belt, I don't run away from no one. He want it, he could get it...Everybody in the UFC's a hard fight. I'm a hard worker, anybody can win at this level."