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‘This is huge for me,’ Marlon Vera on being first Ecuadorian to headline UFC event
Headlining a UFC event for the first time is always a special moment for a fighter. But for Marlon Vera, it’s more than just a personal milestone.
The rising contender is en route to headline his first UFC card, as he takes on Rob Font in a key bantamweight bout in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 35 in Las Vegas. Vera (20-7-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) is set to become the first Ecuadorian fighter to take top billing of a card in the history of the promotion.
Vera is by far the biggest representative of Ecuador in MMA today. He was also the only Ecuadorian fighting in the UFC for many years before Michael Morales debuted in the company in January.
“Chito” is happy to make history for his home country and is determined to make the most of this moment.
“Of course, this is huge for me,” Vera told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “This is a golden opportunity for me and this is something I’m taking very seriously.
“The work continues. After my last fight, I returned to the gym and I stayed focused. I stayed ready and learned new things. I knew something big was coming up and it did. All the work – everything is where it’s supposed to be and I feel good. This weekend, I know I’m going to put away Font.”
Vera has felt the support from his country all the way to this historic moment. He was often congratulated by at the time president of Ecuador Lenin Moreno following his UFC wins.
“The support has always been there and people have always been loyal to my work and they’re always connected,” Vera said. “What’s happening is that each time it grows more and more. It’s more people who join the support, more people who follow my fights and that can only help me. The bigger the energy, the better and the more sure of myself I feel in there. But yeah, people have always been supporting me.”
Font (19-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) is coming off a loss to former champion Jose Aldo, but prior to that, the New England Cartel fighter was nearing a title shot with an impressive four-fight winning streak. Vera hopes a win over Font puts him in title contention at the very least.
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