“I’m here for a reason, and this is another chance for me to prove myself and put on a clinic against a guy like this,” Marlon Vera had confidently declared ahead of his UFC 316 clash with Mario Bautista. But just as the hype began to build, the buzz faded with reports of the former title challenger pulling out from his June 7 bout due to an injury. And in a surprising twist, the UFC reportedly drafted former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix from the PFL to step in and face Bautista instead. So, what really happened?
As already mentioned, Vera’s pullout news wasn’t officially confirmed. Until now! It is safe to say that the MMA community was starting to build up hype for this high-stakes fight between two top 10 contenders. Moreover, this was the second time their battle took a bump. Initially, Vera and Bautista were supposed to fight at UFC Des Moines, but it was rescheduled for UFC 316 without any further explanation.
First reported by MMA media outlet @MagicM_MMABets, this was also the source that reported Mix stepping up big time. And these rumors turned out to be true, as the former UFC bantamweight title challenger confirmed during a conversation on his podcast that he is indeed injured.
‘Chito’ said, “What’s up, everybody? Unfortunately, the news is true, and I had to pull out of my fight in Jersey. You know, it sucks because in 24 UFC fights, I had never had to pull out due to an injury. I’ve been blessed with a strong body and a strong mind, so there’s always a first time for something.”
He further added, “It sucks because now I have to recover, settle down. But at the end of the day, everything comes to us for a reason. It’s just time to heal now. So I will put all my energy, all the same discipline, and the same work ethic that I have into getting ready for the fight. I’m going to use that to get this healed and go from here, and you know, get back on the horse. I was dying to perform, and I was very excited to get in front of the crowd in Jersey and put on a show. But like I say, time to heal.”
Marlon Vera is currently on a two-fight losing streak, with defeats against former 135-pound champ Sean O’Malley and former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. He is 1-3 in his last four bouts, making this fight a crucial one for his career. However, it seems the fight gods had other plans for him. As Vera exits the picture, Patchy Mix enters the equation. Riding a seven-fight winning streak, the former Bellator champion is reported to make his UFC debut this month. Well, so what’s next for Marlon Vera? Let’s find out!
What’s coming for Marlon Vera after the UFC 316 fiasco?
Marlon Vera is one of the A-list fighters under the promotion. ‘Chito’ is one of only two fighters to have ever defeated former champion Sean O’Malley, although it’s worth noting that ‘Suga’ got his revenge at UFC 299. The Ecuador native has been with the UFC for a long time, having made his promotional debut in 2014 during The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America Season 1. Since then, he has competed in 24 fights under the UFC banner.
Throughout his career, he has been one of the most explosive fighters, but for now, his stars aren’t quite aligning under the promotion. Facing back-to-back champions has caught up with him. Bautista was the perfect matchup, but his injuries have forced him to step down. So, if not Mario, then who?
Well, as of May 2025, Vera is ranked at #7, just below Figueiredo. The UFC might pit the Brazilian against Rob Font (#8th) once again. The last time the duo clashed was back in 2022. In a close call fight, Vera won the battle by way of a unanimous decision. A fight between these two makes sense, as Font is riding a two-fight winning streak and is likely seeking revenge.
If not Rob Font, then the promotion could consider Aiemann Zahabi (#11), who recently entered the rankings after his victory over Jose Aldo at UFC 315. The Canadian is looking to make a name for himself, and a battle against Vera would serve as a reality check for both fighters — a chance for Zahabi to prove his worth and for Vera to reaffirm his position.
Other than Bautista, Marlon Vera should either fight against Rob Font or Zahabi to cement his status as the next title contender. Given that, what is your opinion about Chito’s injury? State your thoughts in the comments below.
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