Marlon Vera Wants Jimmie Rivera Next After Making Sean O’Malley ‘Quit’

Marlon Vera was able to capitalise on his co-main event appearance at UFC 252, stopping Sean O’Malley in the very first round. And in doing so, handing ‘Suga’ the very first professional loss of his career.

O’Malley’s Injury

Although some fans have blamed O’Malley’s loss on a freak injury at the beginning of the fight, it now looks like it was a leg kick behind the knee by ‘Chito’ that led to the beginning of the end for ‘Suga’. Vera was able to smell blood in the water as he swarmed the undefeated prospect with some heavy ground and pound, before referee Herb Dean stopped the fight.

Some people have taken the opportunity to claim that the stoppage was a little premature. However, speaking to BJPenn.com, Vera defended the stoppage and said that O’Malley was out for a second.

“Now that the fight is over, he didn’t hurt his ankle. The x-rays came back clean,” Vera said. “What I did to him, is basically when someone punches you in the jaw you go out. His legs went out. I don’t give a f*** what people think or say. There will always be haters. He went out. But, man if they don’t stop it I would’ve beat him worse in the second. Everyone has an opinion. It was a solid win and I am happy, I wouldn’t change anything.”

The ending of the fight resulted in O’Malley needing to be carted out of the UFC APEX on a stretcher. According to Vera, he made the rising star quit.

“I am going to be honest, he quit,” Vera said. “But, at the end of the day, I know my kicks are powerful and it f***ed up his leg. His nerve went away when I kicked him.”

Potenital Future Bout

Even though Vera won the fight in the first round, many people are calling for an immediate rematch once O’Malley heals up. However, that doesn’t look to be something the Ecuadorian is interested in, citing Jimmie Rivera as his ideal next opponent.

“F*** no, f*** him. He has to go fight and prove himself,” Vera stated. “Let’s be real he was fighting low-level competition.

“I want Jimmie Rivera next and that is what will happen next. There is nowhere he can run now or any excuses he can make,” he said. “Right now, he has his back against his wall and can’t be picking his opponents. We have been scheduled to fight a couple of times, that is the fight to make.

“I would finish him. I will put the pace and pressure on him and I believe I finish him,” Vera said.

Would you like to see a matchup between Marlon Vera and Jimmie Rivera?

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