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After months of anticipation, Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen collided in the octagon in a bout that somewhat lived up to prior expectations. Following the fight, the Ecuadorian took to social media to share a statement with his fans.
'Chito' is known for his violent fighting style and passion for knocking his opponents out, but he just couldn't get started and fell to a loss last time out. Although it seemed pretty one-sided, the South American was still able to win on one of the judges' scorecards, making his defeat a split decision.
In a post shared on Instagram, Marlon Vera insisted that he's far from finished after sustaining a little 'bump in the road' in his main event clash against Cory Sandhagen on Saturday night:
"Lil bump in the road, it's only over if I decide it. And we're far from that... Be back soon."
This was the first time in almost three years that Vera tasted defeat inside the octagon, with his previous loss coming against Jose Aldo in late 2020. Although his winning streak came to an end, the 30-year-old still has a lot in the tank and despite the lackluster showing, he remains one of the most dangerous men at 135.
While a title shot may not be on the cards, the standout performance from Sandhagen has bulldozed him up the rankings and within touching distance of UFC gold. Currently riding a two-fight winning run, the flashy striker is a shoo-in for a chance at the championship should he win his next outing.
What's next for Marlon Vera following the loss to Cory Sandhagen?
While a timeline for his return is unclear, Marlon Vera still has a number of options available to him at the top of the division when he decides to return to the cage.
The heavy-handed brawler always welcomes a standup brawl and there are various options available to him in the weight class. One that is arguably the most unlikely at this point is a rematch with Sean O'Malley following the controversial ending to their first bout.
A matchup the fans have been clamoring for is a show-stealer between 'Chito' Vera and former bantamweight king Petr Yan, with the winner likely thrusting themselves right back into title contention. There are numerous prospects rising up the ranks who could all make for brilliant spectacles alongside the Ecuadorian.
