.png)
Marlon "Chito" Vera is gearing up for a crucial return to the Octagon as he faces rising bantamweight contender Mario Bautista at UFC Des Moines on May 3 at the Wells Fargo Center in Iowa. The bout, first reported by TuckTalksMMA, has now been confirmed by multiple sources.
For Vera, this fight marks an opportunity to reignite his career after a tough 2024. The 32-year-old Ecuadorian was last seen competing for the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 299, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Sean O'Malley in March. He attempted to bounce back against former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in August but fell short once again in another unanimous decision loss at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Now, determined to prove he still belongs among the division’s elite, Vera is stepping back into the cage for his first fight of 2025.
Meanwhile, Mario Bautista is on a red-hot seven-fight win streak and looking to cement himself as a true contender. The MMA Lab standout has been steadily climbing the ranks, with his latest victory coming in a controversial split decision against two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 307 in October. A win over Vera could propel Bautista even further into title contention.
This bantamweight clash is set to deliver fireworks, as Vera looks to reclaim his momentum. At the same time, Bautista aims to keep his streak alive and solidify his status as a top contender. With both fighters having plenty to prove, expect an action-packed showdown in Iowa.