Marlon Vera has had bigger fights in his career, but maybe none more important than his showdown with Charles Jourdain at UFC 331.
The one-time bantamweight title challenger was on a career-worst four-fight losing streak heading into Saturday’s event in Los Angeles, and a loss to the fast-rising Jourdain would have left “Chito” on shaky ground. However, Vera put on a resurgent performance, battering Jourdain for two rounds before scoring a knockout victory in the third.
Immediately after the referee stepped in, an emotional Vera dropped to his knees in celebration, and later told reporters that he fully felt the magnitude of the win.
“It’s not a
