Marlon Vera has fought tooth and nail to arrive at #4 in the UFC bantamweight rankings. 'Chito' will look to continue his rise to the top of the rankings when he takes on #5 ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen in February 2023 at UFC Fight Night 219.The fight announcement was made yesterday. Current UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling stated that his teammate and close friend Merab Dvalishvili should have been given the fight instead. Vera caught wind of Sterling's reply, leading to a war of words online.See the interaction below:"Great fight! But Merab should be in this one. Great fight nonetheless."Aljamain Sterling@funkmasterMMAGreat fight! But Merab should but in this one. Great fight nonetheless twitter.com/mmafighting/st…MMAFighting.com@MMAFightingCory Sandhagen vs. Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera expected to serve as Feb. 18 main event 🍿 bit.ly/SandhagenVera3159Cory Sandhagen vs. Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera expected to serve as Feb. 18 main event 🍿📰 bit.ly/SandhagenVera https://t.co/A1C3jXL1yVGreat fight! But Merab should but in this one. Great fight nonetheless 🔥🔥🔥 twitter.com/mmafighting/st…Marlon Vera replied with the following:"Dude shut the f**k up. Focus on your shit you’re pathetic"C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A@chitoveraUFC@funkmasterMMA @Pats082 @Braverman420 Dude shut the fuck up. Focus on your shit you’re pathetic46023@funkmasterMMA @Pats082 @Braverman420 Dude shut the fuck up. Focus on your shit you’re pathetic"Good luck in February! If you win, and I dust up Harry, I think UFC will make the fight. Haaannn!"Aljamain Sterling@funkmasterMMAGood luck in February! If you win, and I dust up Harry, I think UFC will make the fight. Haaannn! twitter.com/chitoveraufc/s…C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A@chitoveraUFC@funkmasterMMA @Pats082 @Braverman420 Dude shut the fuck up. Focus on your shit you’re pathetic1664@funkmasterMMA @Pats082 @Braverman420 Dude shut the fuck up. Focus on your shit you’re patheticGood luck in February! If you win, and I dust up Harry, I think UFC will make the fight. Haaannn! twitter.com/chitoveraufc/s… https://t.co/KAtt237bQPC H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A@chitoveraUFC@funkmasterMMA Exactly, I stay focus on my shit like I always do. Get a life2995@funkmasterMMA Exactly, I stay focus on my shit like I always do. Get a lifeAljamain Sterling@funkmasterMMA@chitoveraUFC Too sensitive mate. Too sensitive66@chitoveraUFC Too sensitive mate. Too sensitive"I'm pathetic because I'm afraid you? It all makes sense now Cheeto."Aljamain Sterling@funkmasterMMAI’m pathetic because I’m afraid you? It all makes sense now Cheeto twitter.com/chitoveraufc/s…C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A@chitoveraUFC@funkmasterMMA @Pats082 @Braverman420 Dude shut the fuck up. Focus on your shit you’re pathetic1133@funkmasterMMA @Pats082 @Braverman420 Dude shut the fuck up. Focus on your shit you’re patheticI’m pathetic because I’m afraid you? It all makes sense now Cheeto twitter.com/chitoveraufc/s…"Of you, of you.. use proper English when u refer to me idiot. Go back to the room and finish merab off, wash your stinky mouth and come back. Go"C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A@chitoveraUFC@funkmasterMMA Of you, of you.. use proper English when u refer to me idiot. Go back to the room and finish merab off, wash your stinky mouth and come back. Go26312@funkmasterMMA Of you, of you.. use proper English when u refer to me idiot. Go back to the room and finish merab off, wash your stinky mouth and come back. GoMerab Dvalishvili is currently ranked at #2 in the UFC bantamweight division, and a title fight is around the corner. However, given the nature of Dvalishvili and Sterling's relationship, the pair have agreed that they will not fight each other.Sterling will most likely face former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo next. 'Funk Master' claims that he will move up to featherweight once he defeats Cejudo, allowing his teammate to fight for the bantamweight title.But depending on the result of Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen, the UFC could decide that Sterling should face the winner of that fight; or #1 ranked bantamweight Sean O'Malley.Marlon Vera awarded ESPN MMA 'Most Improved Fighter of the Year'Marlon Vera is entering the prime of his career if his last four fights are anything to go by.'Chito' won all four bouts and was awarded a performance bonus in all four too. Vera has surged to #4 in the UFC bantamweight rankings and doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. At the age of 30, his physical and mental attributes appear to have combined in a perfect alchemic reaction.'Chito' fought twice in 2022, first against Rob Font at UFC on ESPN 35. Vera dominated Font from start to finish, landing fewer but much more damaging shots, and won the fight via UD.Marlon Vera then knocked Dominick Cruz out cold with a vicious head kick at UFC on ESPN 41, and made a clear statement of intent to the rest of the division.'Chito' was deservedly awarded the Most Improved Fighter of the Year at ESPN MMA's end of year awards.ESPN MMA@espnmmaChito Vera is our Most Improved Fighter of the Year What does 2023 hold for him?For more: ES.PN/2022MMAAwards3878376Chito Vera is our Most Improved Fighter of the Year 📈What does 2023 hold for him?For more: ES.PN/2022MMAAwards https://t.co/zrd16DDe5xWill Marlon Vera become be able to defeat Cory Sandhagen? Give your thoughts in the comment section below.