How a 'Best Mistake' Shaped Marlon Vera's UFC Career

Marlon Vera is gearing up for a monumental fight at UFC 299 as he prepares to challenge Sean O'Malley for the UFC bantamweight title in a highly anticipated rematch.

"Chito" Vera has been a UFC staple since 2014, but it's in the past three years that he has truly emerged as one of the top fighters in the 135-pound division. Despite facing setbacks along the way, Vera has turned those experiences into valuable lessons that have contributed to his growth as a fighter.

In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Vera reflected on a pivotal moment in his career that he believes changed the trajectory of his fighting style. Following his victory over O'Malley, which remains the only loss on O'Malley's record, Vera was given a significant opportunity to face Brazilian legend José Aldo.

Recalling the fight, Vera discussed how a crucial mistake in the third round of his bout with Aldo taught him an important lesson about maintaining focus and not underestimating his opponents. Despite feeling confident after the second round, Vera admitted that his arrogance led to a costly error that ultimately cost him the fight.

However, Vera views this loss to Aldo as a turning point in his career. Since then, he has amassed an impressive record in the bantamweight division, with notable wins over fighters like Frankie Edgar, Rob Font, and Dominick Cruz.

Vera considers the loss to Aldo as a blessing in disguise, stating,

"That loss I would say it could be the best loss of my career...it just taught me so many things."

He credits this defeat for changing his mindset and making him more cautious and aware in the octagon, ultimately leading to his success in recent years.

With his rematch against O'Malley on the horizon, Vera is eager to showcase his growth and prove that he has what it takes to become the UFC bantamweight champion.