Following his landmark victory over Rob Font at UFC Vegas 53, Marlon Vera wants a crack Jose Aldo. Vera lost to Aldo via decision back in 2020, and with his improved record since, including victories over two top-tier bantamweights, Marlon Vera wants revenge.
“I would love to fight Aldo again, and especially in a five-rounder, just because he declined a five-rounder when we fought last December. I would love to kick his ass, and if we get to match again, I will finish again. I guarantee that.”
Marlon Vera Demands Jose Aldo Rematch
Vera makes the argument that, comparing his performance against Rob Font to Jose Aldo’s, he clearly emerged as the more dominant opponent. “I picked him apart and I hurt him. I was close to putting him out a couple of times, but you’ve got to be smart in there.
Some people get too crazy when they hurt their opponent, and then they gas out. You’ve got to be smart in the long run. He was talking a little s*** like he was too good, or too technical, so now he sees what’s up.”
Rob Font actually missed weight for the fight, coming in 2.5 pounds over the 135-pound bantamweight limit. Vera took home 20% of Font’s purse as consolation, but never considered declining the fight. Does his willingness to take on opponents who might more comfortably compete at featherweight – the division Jose Aldo once ruled for a decade – make Aldo a more enticing prospect?
“Some 35ers should fight at 145, but it seems like they don’t have the balls to do it. They know how to cut weight, and I don’t have any problem about it, but I do believe big weight cuts is just as equal as cheating, so I’m a guy that keeps my weight at [152, 155 pounds], but it’s because I’m training year-round.
If you’re not consistent enough, it will catch up to you one day, and we saw that tonight.”
Jose Aldo’s resurgence at bantamweight has seen the former featherweight champion gunning for another title decades into his MMA career. With Aljamain Sterling clearly on the bantamweight throne, and Petr Yan unlikely to get his third fight against Sterling without another victory in the meantime, it’s plausible that a Vera-Aldo fight could set up a title shot for the winner.
Do you want to see Vera vs Aldo 2, and should the winner go on to fight Sterling for the title? Let us know in the comments.
