Marlon Vera vs. Eddie Wineland slated for UFC Columbus in March

Photo Credit: Esther Lin - MMA Fighting & Dave Mandel - Sherdog.com

A bantamweight meeting between surging challenger, Marlon 'Chito' Vera, and one-time interim title challenger, Eddie Wineland has been sealed for UFC Fight Night Columbus on March 28th. - according to an initial report from ESPN.

Ecuador native, Vera will make his fourteenth Octagon walk since his debut at UFC 180 back in 2014 - hoping to extend an impressive win-streak to six in the process. The 27-year-old was scheduled to meet with Tiger Schulmann trainee, Jimmie Rivera at UFC 247 at the beginning of the month, but was pulled from the event after Rivera suffered an injury. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has notched notable recent wins over Andre Ewell, Nohelin Hernandez, Frankie Saenz, and, Brian Kelleher.

Houston native, Wineland, last featured at UFC 238, snapping a two-fight losing run with a knockout of Grigory Popov. The veteran has spent nine years under the promotion's banner and won the inaugural WEC bantamweight championship in a matchup with Antonio Banuelos in 2006. The knockout artist challenged Renan Barão for the interim bantamweight championship back in 2013, losing via a spinning back-kick knockout. The Indiana based wrestler holds career highlight wins over Scott Jorgensen, Brad Pickett, Takeya Mizugaki, and George Roop.

UFC Fight Night Columbus takes place on March 28th. from the Nationwide Arena, and is headlined by a monstrous heavyweight meeting between Francis Ngannou, and Jairzinho Rozenstriuk. The event co-headliner is contested between Brazils, Raphael Assuncao, and former bantamweight champion, Cody Garbrandt. In a potential bantamweight title-eliminator, Aspen Ladd meets Julianna Peña. Making up the rest of the card is a heavyweight pairing of Greg Hardy and Yorgan de Castro. In an affair at 205-pounds, Sam Alvey will meet with Khalil Rountree Jr. In bantamweight action, Louis Smolka returns to action as he's paired with Davey Grant. a matchup of strawweights will also take place as Tecia Torres battles against Mizuki Inoue. Randy Costa will also feature in a 135-pound clash, as he meets with Martin Day. Exciting bantamweights, Cody Stamann, and Raoni Barcelos also meet.

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