Aljamain Sterling is willing to fight Marlon Vera next if he is the UFC’s pick.
Since defending his UFC bantamweight title at UFC 280, most talk has been about who champion Aljamain Sterling will face next. Immediately it seemed that number one contender Sean O’Malley, who beat Petr Yan on the same night would be the logical next opponent for Sterling. However, a few more names have emerged that could step into the title shot, one of which is Marlon Vera.
Vera believes he is the best option for Sterling and now has taken to Twitter to make his callout.
Marlon Vera is asking for a shot at Aljamain Sterling and is promising a finish
Vera is sitting fourth on the rankings currently and feels his time has come. He has won four fights in a row over top-ranked opponents, including two former champions. No longer willing to sit back and let the UFC decide, he has gone directly to the source and called out Sterling on social media.
Ok what date works for you @funkmasterMMA?
I said June, but I’m sure I’ll have the itch to compete again sooner than that. I really don’t care against who. If Dana says, you, then it’s done. #IDidntForgetYouChito
I said June, but I’m sure I’ll have the itch to compete again sooner than that. I really don’t care against who. If Dana says, you, then it’s done.#IDidntForgetYouChito ❤️ https://t.co/TcLLipD3au
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 2, 2022
This is why I do this sport! After I smash you, maybe we will have cervezas — Sterling Said
Im not tripping, let’s do it! Trust me I will make you remember. — Marlon Said
Sterling seemed to agree to the proposition but stated that it was ultimately up to the UFC. Dana White has been vocal about wanting a different bout altogether for Sterling’s next defense. He wants to see former champion Henry Cejudo come back and challenge. Sterling does not seem keen on the idea of facing Cejudo and is welcoming a shot for Vera.
This is why I do this sport! After I smash you, maybe we will have cervezas 🍻 https://t.co/i6jyQfKM64
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 2, 2022
Sterling even offered a beer to Vera after they fight each other, although Vera responded by promising to finish the champ. As for Cejudo, Vera had an idea of what the UFC could do with him in the meantime.
“Make Henry vs hasbulla / me vs the champ,” Vera wrote on Twitter. “Call it a day main and co-main easy.”
Sterling has mentioned that he does not want to fight before next summer. If he gets his wish, he might have to face Cejudo who could need that much time to get ready. Cejudo retired from MMA back in 2020, but has stayed close to the sport, he has been training with some of the best including Jon Jones and Zhang Weili. Cejudo has reentered the USADA testing pool and has been tested 12 times this year according to the website.
