Aljamain Sterling and Marlon Vera take aim at each other after Chito’s next bout was announced.
It seems that the UFC bantamweight title picture is falling into place. Champion Aljamain Sterling has his next opponent in Henry Cejudo although the details surrounding the fight are not yet set. That leaves the rest of the top five to duke it out to see who will be on deck. The UFC announced a great clash of contenders this week as number four Marlon Vera will be taking on number five Cory Sandhagen. The immediate reaction from fans was a positive one, but the champ would have gone another way with it. He took to Twitter to comment on the matchmaking.
Great fight! But Merab should but in this one. Great fight nonetheless 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/7i1hbquYm2
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 23, 2022
Sterling believed that if this bout is being treated as a number one contender fight, his friend and training partner Merab Dvalishvili should be a part of it. Vera did not take kindly to this.
Marlon Vera and Aljamain Sterling go back and forth on social media
Vera has won four in a row against some of the best in the division including two former UFC champs. He believes he was done enough to earn a title shot and is making sure that the champ doesn’t forget about him.
Dude shut the fuck up. Focus on your shit you’re pathetic
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) December 24, 2022
Sterling took the bait and a back-and-forth began on Twitter. The spat seemed to end with Sterling promising Vera a shot with a win.
Exactly, I stay focus on my shit like I always do. Get a life
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) December 24, 2022
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) December 24, 2022
If Vera is to win against Sandhagen in February, he might still be number two on the list of title contenders. Waiting in the wings is Sean O’Malley who skyrocketed to number one after his win over Petr Yan back in October. As always, making an enemy of the champion is always a great way to get fans excited and to woo the UFC into booking a fight. It seems that Marlon Vera is doing just that and doing it well.
