The highly anticipated bantamweight bout between Marlon “Chito” Vera and Mario Bautista has been rescheduled, shifting from UFC Des Moines on May 3 to UFC 316 on June 7. The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, will now host this intriguing matchup as part of a stacked card headlined by two championship fights. While the reasons behind the change remain undisclosed, fans are eager to see these top-tier fighters collide under the bright lights of a PPV event.
Mario Bautista vs. Chito Vera now goes down at #UFC316 in Newark 🔥
Who ya got? pic.twitter.com/eNngh92EQa
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 15, 2025
Vera’s Redemption vs. Bautista’s Momentum
Marlon Vera enters this contest looking to rebound from a challenging 2024 campaign that saw him go winless in two high-profile fights. The Ecuadorian fighter, ranked seventh in the bantamweight division, first fell short in his title challenge against Sean O’Malley at UFC 299 in March, losing via unanimous decision. He followed that with another defeat to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi in August. Known for his resilience and finishing ability, he holds the record for most finishes in UFC bantamweight history—Vera aims to reclaim his position among the division’s elite with a victory over Bautista.
Mario Bautista, on the other hand, is riding an impressive seven-fight win streak that has catapulted him to tenth in the rankings. The MMA Lab standout last competed at UFC 307 in October, where he earned a controversial split decision victory over two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo.
This performance is not talked about enough,Bautista humbled and dominated a second prime no USADA Jose Aldo pic.twitter.com/HoW6jKAiCH
— Mazdhar (@MAZDHARMMA) February 14, 2025
Bautista’s rise has been marked by versatility, boasting six submission wins and a knack for grinding out tough decisions. At 31 years old, he is poised to capitalize on his momentum and cement his status as a legitimate contender with a win over Vera.
A Night of Championship Drama
UFC 316 promises to be one of the biggest events of the year, featuring two title fights alongside Vera vs. Bautista on the main card. The headliner sees Merab Dvalishvili defend his bantamweight belt against Sean O’Malley in a rematch less than a year after their controversial first meeting at UFC 306. Dvalishvili’s relentless cardio and grappling prowess will be tested against O’Malley’s dynamic striking as “Suga” seeks redemption.
REMATCH UP AHEAD AT #UFC316 👊@MerabDvalishvil vs @SugaSeanMMA pic.twitter.com/zkJ6ZQlmGq
— UFC (@ufc) April 11, 2025
In the co-main event, Julianna Peña defends her women’s bantamweight title against rising star Kayla Harrison. Peña reclaimed her belt at UFC 307 with a hard-fought victory over Raquel Pennington, while Harrison has rapidly ascended the ranks with dominant performances since joining the UFC.
Adding further intrigue to the card are bouts such as Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer at middleweight and Johnny Walker vs. Azamat Murzakanov at light heavyweight.
What’s at Stake?
For Vera, this fight represents an opportunity to halt his skid and prove he still belongs among the division’s best after a difficult year. His ability to adapt and overcome adversity will be key against Bautista’s well-rounded skill set. For Bautista, defeating a seasoned veteran like Vera would solidify his claim as a top contender and potentially set him up for a title eliminator down the line.
With both fighters boasting contrasting styles, Vera’s finishing power versus Bautista’s technical precision, fans can expect fireworks when they meet inside the Octagon on June 7. As part of an already loaded card, this bout adds depth and excitement to what is shaping up to be an unforgettable night of MMA action.
