Marlon Vera blames only one person for his recent loss: himself.
A UFC bantamweight contender, Vera (16-7-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC) dropped a unanimous decision to former featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC Fight Night 183 on Dec. 19 and has since accepted full responsibility.
“I believe, when you lose, there are a million things you can make up. You can make up a million excuses,” Vera told MMA Junkie on Monday. “I tried just to see the realistic (reasons) why I (lost) or what I could’ve done better. I believe coming into the third round, I was too excited. I was so sure I was about to finish him in a really spectacular way that I came in too heavy.”
“Chito” is disappointed in his decision-making during the fight. In fact, Vera said he isn’t interested in erasing the memory of his loss, as he believes there’s a lesson to be learned. Vera thinks a few small mental adjustments will be the key going forward.
“It’s my fault,” Vera said. “There is no coach to blame. There are no teammates to blame. … I don’t want to erase this memory because that’s what’s going to get me through the next things. I’m going to use that chip on my shoulder to not overcommit or get too excited. I went for the kill and got stuck in a weird position. (Expletive) happens.”
In the days following his loss, Vera turned his attention to what’s next when he called out former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Moraes on Twitter. Moraes (23-8-1 MMA, 5-4 UFC) responded rather quickly, but his reply leaves Vera doubtful the matchup will be made next.
“Honestly, I really believe it just makes sense,” Vera said of the matchup. “We both lost on the same night. Let’s just find a date in the next couple of weeks or whenever to make it happen. But he already (has) found a way out. He answered with a pretty dumb thing like, ‘You should go fight (Sean) O’Malley, and then by the time I come back, if you’re still around, we can do something.’
“Just (expletive) say no. If you just say no, I’m not going to harass you. I’m not going to be sending you more messages. This was weird. It was a weird answer. … Looks like that won’t happen, so I was thinking maybe if Jimmie Rivera finally has the balls to do it, I would love to kick his ass. … Just send me a contract with a name on it and we’ll rock and roll.”
Well I guess it’s me and @MMARLONMORAES next ? @ufc
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) December 31, 2020
Give o’Maley his well deserved rematch. By the time I will be back n we meet
— Marlon Moraes (@MMARLONMORAES) December 31, 2020
Another fighter Vera said he would also be open to meeting next is Sean O’Malley, whom he defeated by TKO last summer. O’Malley (12-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) took to Twitter and talked smack to Vera following the Dec. 19 defeat.
12-0. Chito sucks.
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) December 20, 2020
Vera insisted he isn’t worried about what O’Malley had to say, though he certainly wouldn’t mind trying to beat him again.
“Everybody’s always got something to say,” Vera said. “What can we do about it? There’s nothing you can do about it. I won’t lose time arguing with a (expletive)(expletive). What I can do for sure is kick his ass – again. I’m not looking to fight nobody. I’m just looking to fight whoever the (expletive) UFC puts in front of me.”
To hear the complete interview with Vera, check out the video below.
Marlon Vera doubts Marlon Moraes wants fight, brushes off Sean O’Malley with epic cursing