The fan favorite fight between Sean O’Malley (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), and Marlon Vera (17-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC), has been a long time in the making. After the original fight fell through back in July of 2019 due to O’Malley being flagged by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for a potential drug test violation, the two rising bantamweight contenders are now set to fight in the co main event of UFC 252: Cormier vs. Miocic on Aug., 15.
Earlier today, Vera spoke with MMA Fighting’s, Mike Heck, to discuss the upcoming bout.
Vera was asked about how he feels about potentially flying under the radar going into UFC 252, due to the popularity of Sean O’Malley.
“Honestly, with pressure, without pressure, talking about me, not talking about me, again I don’t give a fuck,” Vera told Heck. “I don’t chase those things, I don’t chase people talking about me. You get that by going in there and fucking people up. Thats what the UFC wants, that’s what Dana White wants, people care about winners. Once you do that, you’re good to go. So flying under the radar, I don’t think like that. I just work hard, I just prepare for battle, and I try to train with the best people around me to take me to the next level, so I have nothing in my mind besides winning, being ready, and doing the right things. Flying under the radar, trash talking, I don’t even read (into that), when it comes to that, I don’t have time.”
Styles make fights, and this should be a very exciting matchup between an elite grappler in Vera, and an elite striker in O’Malley. However, both fighters are well versed in MMA, so the striking and grappling exchanges should still be competitive. Make sure to tune in to this must see bout, Aug., 15, at UFC 252: Cormier vs. Miocic.
