UFC 299: Having a Daughter With Dire Neurological Condition, Marlon Vera and Wife Open Up on Their Relationship and Motivation

Marlon Vera is all set to increase the heat of Miami, Florida with his performance against bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley for the 135 lbs gold at UFC 299. ‘Chito’ might be closer to bantamweight glory but his story is not all sunshine and flowers as it looks on the outside. As a family man, he wants to earn a lot of money and stay in the UFC and not for either the fame or the glory!

Vera and his family had to endure tremendous difficulties for his daughter. Suffering from Moebius Syndrome, ‘Chito’s eldest daughter is the lifeline for him and his wife Maria Paulina Escobar, who do anything humanly possible to put a smile on their kids. And in their recent conversation, the duo revealed what keeps them going.

Marlon Vera reveals why he does what he does

Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera happened once in UFC 252, ‘Chito’ dominated ‘Suga’ in that fight and knocked him out in the 1st round. That victory was a call in the bantamweight division that he was there to win. O’Malley was undefeated before their first fight. Unlike any other fighter, ‘Chito’ fights for his family.

‘Chito’ was never planning to get into the UFC but his eldest daughter, Anna Paula, propelled him to get into the UFC. Paula is suffering from a rare Moebius Syndrome. Patients with this neurological disorder are reportedly unable to control the muscles responsible for facial expressions.

While having a conversation with the UFC, Vera asserted that in these hard times his wife, Maria Paulina Escobar, has stood beside him as a wall. “We started dating in high school, and we’ve been together our whole lives. She’s been 100% supportive, 100% backing me up on everything I do. I’m not doing this for the fame. You do it for the family. Yes, I want to be a world champion. I want to have success and be notorious in the world and have people know me – all that’s cool. But all that will be gone one day. The impact I make on my way to that is what will last forever,” said Vera. 

Vera might want to win the title for his family but going through O’Malley, who is already seeking revenge would not be easy. Interestingly, ‘Vera’s camp is having a bit of trouble as well.

Vera’s camp might not be going all well

Marlon Vera brutally defeated Sean O’Malley at UFC 252. Their fight left ‘Suga’ to leave the octagon on stretchers.  After the victory ‘Chito’ climbed the octagon to announce that the Chito era is here and it’s here to stay. fast forward to today, they are facing each other in a high-stakes match. It’s a tremendous opportunity to have the bantamweight title but the former champion, Aljamain Sterling believes O’Malley would win the bout.

Read More: UFC 299: Sean O’Malley Promises to Repeat Israel Adesanya’s Miami Feat at Marlon Vera Fight

“The only thing I’m concerned about is that I heard . . . he didn’t really have a great camp or a lot of guys to train with, with ‘Chito’ yeah. So, I don’t know how true that is, so with that said, I’m leaning towards O’Malley to get it done. I’m gonna say, I don’t think he finishes him, (wins) by decision. Maybe split decision, I’m saying split decision,” said Sterling.

The match is all set to happen in Miami Florida. Their match would decide the fate of the bantamweight division. Who would you like to see as the bantamweight champion? Tell us about your opinion in the comments below.

Read More: Sean O’Malley Wanting His Father to Be His ‘Driver’ Elicits Divided Response From Fans – “Some People Say That This Is Their Champ”, “Chito Would Never”