Marlon Vera didn’t get the type of opponent he wanted, but he got a fight.

The Ecuadorian competes Saturday in the opening bout of the UFC on ESPN 8 main card, which takes place in Jacksonville, Fla. Vera (17-5-1 MMA, 9-4 UFC) takes on Song Yadong in a featherweight bout. Both men compete at bantamweight, but given the difficulties training during the coronavirus pandemic, both have agreed to fight up 10 pounds.

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., Vera was scheduled to fight top-10 bantamweight Jimmie Rivera and then former WEC champion Eddie Wineland.

The Rivera bout was canceled due to an injury sustained by Rivera and the Wineland fight fell through due to the cancellation of UFC Columbus by coronavirus restrictions.

Yadong, a 22-year-old prospect, might not have the same recognition as Vera’s previous booking, but Vera is just happy to be getting back into action.

“It’s a fight,” Vera said during Thursday’s UFC on ESPN 8 virtual media day. “Given the moment that we’re in, that’s what was available. So right now, I had to take a fight.

“And at the end of the day, the guy has a ranking spot above me, so I have to go up (in rankings) in some way. We have to do it, and work is work. Whoever doesn’t work doesn’t make money. And it’s not an easy fight. He’s got power, wants to win – so I’m in the same situation. I want to be champion and I want so many things, but first is Saturday. A lot depends on that day.”

Vera currently enjoys a five-fight winning streak with all victories coming by stoppage. He also sits at No. 15 in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings; Yadong is just ahead at No. 14.

Vera has only been preparing for Yadong for a few weeks, but he feels like he’s done his homework in studying the Chinese fighter.

“I’ve watched I think every single fight of his in the UFC. I even watched his fight in that Chinese company that says it’s kickboxing, but it’s MMA,” Vera said. “I actually like to watch and see who I’m fighting. I don’t get cocky and say, ‘Oh that’s OK, I should be fine.’

“I do that a lot, so I pick one or three days and I watch lot of film by myself. I wait till my wife goes grocery shopping with the kids. I’m alone. I turn off all the lights, focus a little bit, I take a few notes, and I tell my coaches what I think and I let them answer wether I’m right or wrong and we go from there.”

Vera hopes a win over Yadong unlocks matchups in the top 10 and top five of the division. He also hopes his win inspires people back in his home country of Ecuador, since the virus has hit hard there.

“The situation is difficult all over the country,” Vera said. “I would like to bring them some happiness on Saturday and it motivates me because people are having a tough time. Just with the victory and the fight I think that could make people feel good at least for that day.”