Vera (23-10-1 MMA, 15-9 UFC) meets Mario Bautista (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in a UFC Fight Night event on May 3 in Des Moines, Iowa ( ESPN+ ). X user TuckTalksMMA first reported the news, which Bautista subsequently confirmed on his Instagram stories. Vera confirmed he’s fighting May 3.

Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo aren't the only bantamweight contenders fighting at UFC Des Moines...On May 3 at the Wells Fargo Arena, the UFC will hold their first event in Des Moines, Iowa since UFC 26 in the year 2000.

Marlon “Chito” Vera looks to get back on track a little over a year after fighting for the UFC bantamweight title. Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Vera is set to face surging contender Mario Bautista at UFC Des Moines.

O’Malley completely dominated the fight over the course of five rounds. Vera returned at UFC Abu Dhabi in August where he lost a close decision to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo is headlining the Des Moines card against Cory Sandhagen and now Vera will get an opportunity to bounce back on the same card.

A bantamweight bout between former title challenger Marlon "Chito" Vera and Mario Bautista will take place at UFC Fight Night on May 3 in Des Moines, Iowa.Bautista posted about the matchup on his Instagram Stories on Thursday,

This makes it five main events in a row for former interim title challenger Sandhagen, his first since losing to the then-undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi in August. The decision result snapped a three-fight win streak over Rob Font, 'Chito' Vera, and Song Yadong, putting a halt to Sandhagen's title aspirations.

Iowan UFC fans will be treated to some great bantamweight action this May. The news first coming from social media user TuckTalksMMA on Friday, Marlon Vera (23-10-1) and Mario Bautista (15-2) will throw down in Des Moines on May 3.