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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
MMA Junkie Staff

UFC 299 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: Crossing paths in fighter hotel, Marlon Vera told Sean O’Malley to do what?

The UFC is back for its third pay-per-view of 2024, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 299 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami.

In the main event, bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) makes his first title defense against Marlon Vera (21-8-1 MMA, 15-7 UFC), with the champ looking to avenge his only loss, which came against “Chito” by TKO in 2020. The co-headliner is a five-round lightweight showdown between veteran Dustin Poirier (29-8 MMA, 21-7 UFC) and rising contender Benoit Saint-Denis (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who has a golden opportunity to make a name for himself on a big stage.

Also featured on the main card is the debut former Bellator star Michael Page (21-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) against Kevin Holland (25-10 MMA, 12-7 UFC) in a welterweight bout; Gilbert Burns (22-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (16-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in another welterweight showcase; and former bantamweight champion Petr Yan (16-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC) looking to get back on track against rising Chinese star Song Yadong (21-7-1 MMA, 10-2-1 UFC).

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Sean O’Malley puts in mat time. Marlon Vera flies to Miami. Song Yadong trains with Urijah Faber, while Michael “Venom” Page makes a familiar trip. Benoit Saint Denis stays drama-free. Vera vows victory. The headliners exchange unpleasantries.

Also watch:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.

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