Marlon Vera says he hopes to face former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan in November after the Russian revealed a string of injuries online.
Following his unanimous decision loss to Sean O’Malley only a few weeks ago at UFC 299, Marlon Vera is already looking ahead to his next potential matchup and opponent.
Speaking on the latest episode of The MMA Hour, Vera said that he ideally wants to return in November against former champion Petr Yan, after the Russian revealed he had suffered a ruptured ACL, torn meniscus, and a groin injury that requires surgery.
Marlon Vera eyes return fight against Petr Yan in November
Whilst ‘Chito’ never really got going at UFC 299 in Miami, with his biggest moment coming via a brutal body shot in the final seconds of round five, the fan-favorite veteran remains a bonified contender at 135lbs – currently sitting at #5 in the rankings.
Never one to shy away from a loss, Vera is already desperate to get back on the horse and into the win column but is also aware that it might take a few extra months for a return fight to materialize.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on the latest episode of The MMA Hour, Vera shared that he is hopeful of facing Petr ‘No Mercy’ Yan in his eventual return fight – Yan earned himself a decision victory at UFC 299 against Song Yadong.
“Now the focus is winning the next one, I was hoping to fight [Petr] Yan in November, but I don’t know if he’ll be ready by then; we’ll figure something out. I don’t know [who else], I haven’t gone through the rankings.”
“I feel that’s a great fight, that fight makes sense,” said the Ecuadorian warrior.
“He’s a former champion, he beat an up-and-comer with really good talent in Song Yadong. Maybe he heals in eight months, I mean he’s the one who’s really asking for it so heal up man.”
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This ‘healing’ that Vera talked about is regarding a string of injuries that Yan sustained in his fight against Song, which he confirmed on social media earlier in the week:
“So MRI confirmed acl rupture, meniscus tear and groin injury. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.”
“Nothing will break me, I’m determined to come back stronger than ever in no time,” noted the 31-year-old Yan.
Given the timeline of recovery for such injuries, a November return against Vera could very well be a possibility for the former champion.