Sean O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, isn’t sweating over Marlon Vera. Since their clash in August 2020, Welch hasn’t spotted anything about Vera that’s worrisome.
Vera handed O’Malley his only defeat so far. Yet, “Sugar” dismisses this loss, blaming a freak leg kick that hit a nerve.
O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title against “Chito” Vera in a much-anticipated rematch. The showdown is scheduled for UFC 299 on March 9 in Miami. Welch doubts Vera’s confidence, noting little improvement since their first fight.
Welch shared his thoughts on The MMA Hour, “I don’t think [he’s improved] a ton.” He pointed out Vera’s struggles against Cory Sandhagen and a narrow victory over Pedro Munhoz, suggesting Vera’s confidence might be shaky.
“But Chito’s dangerous,” Welch admitted. Despite underestimating Vera in their first encounter, they’re not making the same mistake again. Vera’s resilience and ability to turn fights around make him a formidable opponent.
Since their last bout, O’Malley has been undefeated. He secured his spot among the elite with a win over Petr Yan, earning him a title shot. Then, he knocked out Aljamain Sterling to claim the championship.
Vera, on the other hand, has a record of 5-2 since defeating O’Malley. His recent win over Munhoz helped him recover from a loss to Sandhagen. Welch, however, remains unimpressed with Vera’s recent performances and believes O’Malley’s fighting style will remind Vera of his defeat to Sandhagen.
Welch is convinced that memories of the Sandhagen fight will haunt Vera, especially when faced with O’Malley’s speed and agility. “If that Chito shows up on March 9, it’s going to be really bad for him,” Welch predicts.
Despite preparing O’Malley for a five-round battle, Welch secretly anticipates a knockout victory. “I believe it’s going to be a viral knockout,” he said, highlighting their intense preparation for a grueling fight. Yet, he believes Vera’s durability won’t be enough to withstand O’Malley’s power.