SAN ANTONIO – Marlon Vera is ready make his case for a UFC bantamweight title shot.

Vera (20-7-1 MMA, 14-6 UFC) is hours away from taking on Cory Sandhagen in the UFC on ESPN 43 main event, which is a fight in which the winner will perhaps be one fight away from a title shot.

“Chito” knows it’s crowded at the top, but that’s why it’s so important to leave a lasting impression against Sandhagen (15-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC).

“The UFC got a couple of guys that are ready for the belt – I’m one of those,” Vera told MMA Junkie ahead of the UFC on ESPN 43 ceremonial weigh-ins. “Cory is one of those, Merab (Dvalishvili) is one of those, (Petr) Yan, (Sean) O’Malley is one of those. I’m just taking in any order UFC’s lining up for me, and I’m just making sure I’m putting them away.”

Despite having so much company hovering around the top of the division, Vera isn’t worried about when a title shot will come his way. The Ecuador-born fighter knows that doing his thing, his way will get him to his goal. Not to mention, the recent success of Latin American fighters in championship fights has given him added motivation.

“A lot of guys go crazy against the UFC, start complaining and start getting mad, and they don’t get anything,” Vera said. “So, why act like them when I can be myself and get whatever I want?”

Check out the full pre-fight interview with Vera in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.