Sean O’Malley has decided on his next opponent.

After receiving challenges from virtually every top fighter in the division, new UFC flyweight champion Sean O’Malley is adamant that his next opponent should be sixth-ranked Marlon Vera.

“The rematch with Chito is a very interesting fight,” said the American fighter in a video posted on his YouTube channel. “It’s exciting for me, exciting for the fans – it’s the next biggest fight. It gets me excited, as well as the fans. It’s going to be a big event and big pay-per-view sales. Now that I’m getting a percentage of PPV sales, it’s time to play big.”

Three years ago, Marlon “Cheeto” Vera inflicted the only defeat of his professional career on Sean O’Malley, finishing him by technical knockout in the first round. The result of the match was determined by a leg injury, which the American calls accidental, while the Ecuadorian fighter is confident that it was caused by his devastating low kicks.

A week ago at UFC 292 in Boston, Marlon Vera put his career back on track after a split decision loss to Corey Sandhagen by defeating Pedro Munoz by unanimous decision, while Sean O’Malley finished Aljamain Sterling by second-round technical knockout in the main event of the numbered event and took the championship belt from his compatriot.

O’Malley is scheduled to make his first title defense on December 16 at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.

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