José Aldo vs. Marlon 'Chito' Vera 2 has just been scheduled
José Aldo vs. Marlon Vera 2, a rematch six years in the making, is finally taking place, with both men heading to Ecuador on October 4.
The José Aldo vs. Marlon 'Chito' Vera rematch now has a date. However, the bout won't take place in the UFC. In fact, it won't even take place in MMA. Instead, the two men will meet in a submission grappling match under the rising banner of Hype FC.
Ecuador plays host to José Aldo vs. Marlon Vera 2
Hype FC will hold the José Aldo vs. Marlon Vera rematch in Quito, Ecuador on Oct. 4. The Brazilian legend, who some still regard as the greatest featherweight of all time, hasn't competed in any combat sport since losing to Aiemann Zahabi via unanimous decision at UFC 315. It was a contentious outcome, as many were of the belief that Aldo had done enough to win in a bout that marked the last MMA fight since his return from retirement, as Aldo would subsequently hang up his gloves for a second time. By contrast, 'Chito' is still an active fighter. Like Aldo, he is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, but he has more recent experience as a submission grappler.
He previously faced UFC featherweight contender Jean Silva in a submission grappling match at Hype FC Brazil: São Paulo on April 8, with the bout ending in a draw. However, the situation is worse on the MMA front, as he is currently on a four-fight losing streak and 1-5 in his last six fights, including the lopsided unanimous decision loss to Sean O'Malley in their bantamweight title bout at UFC 299, where 'Chito' absorbbed a tremendous amount of damage. Prior to his 1-5 rough patch, his last loss was a unanimous decision to Aldo, who he faced at UFC Vegas 17 on Dec. 19, 2020.
However, for Aldo, it was not only a win, but the first in a three-fight win streak that he had strung together in the hopes of mounting yet another challenge for the bantamweight belt after his fifth-round TKO loss to Petr Yan in their bantamweight title fight at UFC 251. Now, though, things are different, and 'Chito' will look to avenge his loss and score his first combat sports win since 2023, especially in front of his fellow Ecuadorians on home soil, while Aldo will also look to return to the win column for the first time in years.
