"Chito Vera deserves a title shot" - Demetrious Johnson says Sean O'Malley vs. Petr Yan winner should fight Marlon Vera

Many expect the winner of Sean O'Malley and Petr Yan's UFC 280 matchup to receive the next title shot. Demetrious Johnson, who possesses the most flyweight title defenses in UFC history, disagrees with that notion. The current ONE Championship flyweight titleholder believes that Marlon Vera is deserving of an opportunity to fight for the bantamweight title.

During a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, Johnson discussed the UFC 280 matchup, stating:

"Whoever wins that fight, they need to fight Chito Vera. Chito Vera's beat 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley even though it was an injury. Chito Vera deserves a title shot. Chito Vera's on a five fight, six fight win streak. What's the point of him getting all these win streaks if they're not going to give him a title shot?"

Johnson added that Vera at least needs the opportunity to fight the winner of Yan vs. O'Malley for a title shot:

"If they're thinking 'We should give 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley or Petr Yan a title shot', if you're not gonna give it to Chito Vera, at least give Chito Vera the opportunity to fight those guys to earn your guys respect to get to a title shot."

While many would agree that Vera is more deserving of a title shot than O'Malley and Yan, UFC President Dana White recently shared that the winner of the UFC 280 matchup will likely face the champion.

Watch Demetrious Johnson's comments on Marlon Vera's title chances below (starting at the 3:20 mark):

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Chael Sonnen believes Marlon Vera should be "annoyed" with Sean O'Malley

Marlon Vera remains the only fighter to defeat O'Malley in his mixed martial arts career, finishing him by TKO at UFC 252. Former UFC contender and current mixed martial arts analyst Chael Sonnen shared why he believes Vera should be annoyed with O'Malley receiving a No.1 contender fight.

Speaking on his Beyond the Fight podcast, Sonnen stated:

"Chito Vera should be the No.1 contender, but Sean O'Malley's the one in the No.1 contender's match. Sean O'Malley, prior to the reversal of the Sugar State Athletic Commission had a loss to Chito, and it was his only loss. Chito has the right to be annoyed... that in and of itself has a degree of unsportsmanship. I could not fault Chito in the least."

Vera's resume is certainly more impressive than O'Malley's. While he has defeated multiple former UFC champions, O'Malley is yet to defeat even a ranked opponent. Unfortunately for Vera, O'Malley has emerged as one of the most popular fighters on the UFC's roster and will likely receive a title opportunity if he is victorious at UFC 280.

Watch Chael Sonnen discuss the bantamweight title picture below (starting at the 4:07 mark):