Marlon Vera Wants Jimmie Rivera Next So He Can ‘End His Career’

Marlon Vera extended his winning streak to five at UFC Fight Night 161 in Tampa, Fla., with a third-round technical knockout of Andre Ewell.

Vera dominated the contest from start to finish and believes it was about as perfect as a fight could go.

“One-hundred percent, that was about as perfect as you could,” Vera said to Sherdog. "It went exactly how we planned and what we worked for.”

Vera did suffer a foot injury in the bout, but the Team Oyama representative says that he’s continuing to train as much as possible while the ailment heals.

“I fractured my foot, so my doctor told me two weeks before I can run on the foot,” he explained. “I already have started to train in the pool. I’m staying in shape, and can box a little bit, possibly grapple. There is always stuff I can do while this heals. I’m just staying ready for whether comes next. I know if they call short notice and I’m not ready, I’m f——ed.”

Despite the impressive nature of his winning streak, Vera remains outside the bantamweight rankings. That doesn’t impact 26-year-old Ecuador native , as he knows the UFC will eventually be forced to give him highly-ranked opponents if he continues to be successful.

“That is out of my hands so I can’t focus on it,” Vera said. “Whoever makes the rankings, I’m not sure if they are aware about everything, but I don’t give two f—ks about it.”

One potential opponent in his sights is Jimmie Rivera, who Vera says has turned him down before. He hopes the American accepts the fight, and if he does, “Chito” believes he will end Rivera’s career.

“To me, it is all about who is in front of me. I am just going to do my best, there are a couple of guys I want. Jimmie Rivera makes sense. He turned me down before, so I hope he has the balls to fight me now,” Vera said. "He has no more excuses now. I guarantee I will melt him, I’ll make him quit and I’ll finish him. I may end his career.”