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Charles Jourdain wants to fight Marlon Vera next.

Surging UFC bantamweight contender Charles Jourdain called out Marlon Vera for his next fight inside the Octagon.

Jourdain moved down to 135 lbs in late 2024, and thus far, the results have been perfect. The Canadian is 3-0 at his new weight class, with submission wins over Victor Henry and Davey Grant, plus a unanimous decision win over Kyler Phillips in his last bout at UFC Winnipeg. Jourdain, who is known for being one of the most exciting fighters in the game, has won post-fight bonuses in his last three fights. Overall, he has a UFC record of 9-7-1 since entering the promotion back in 2019.

Following the win over Phillips, Jourdain is close to breaking into the top-15 bantamweight rankings. He’s not there yet, but following three straight spectacular wins, Jourdain seems likely to get a ranked opponent for his next fight, and he has someone in mind.

Taking to social media in the days following his win over Phillips, Jourdain said he wants to fight the No. 10-ranked Vera next, and he told the Ecuador native there won’t be any takedowns if they fight. Given that Jourdain and Vera prefer to stand and trade when possible, this would be an amazing matchup for the fans to watch if it indeed happens.

“@chitoveraufc what’s up ? No takedown no (expletive). Mano a Mano,” Jourdain wrote on Instagram.

Charles Jourdain Looks Like the Real Deal at Bantamweight

As a UFC featherweight, Jourdain had just a 6-7-1 record in the cage. While his fights were always exciting to watch, he wasn’t winning on a consistent basis. With his career at the crossroads, Jourdain decided to move down to 135 lbs two years ago, and the decision to move down in weight is looking like a wise one, as he hasn’t lost yet in his new weight class. At 30 years of age, Jourdain is in the prime of his MMA career, and he has room to improve.

The UFC bantamweight division is one of the best divisions in all of the UFC when it comes to the talent and depth the weight class possesses. It is not easy to break into the top 15, but Jourdain is close to doing so. After winning his last three fights in a row against three solid opponents, it’s time that Jourdain gets someone ranked in the top 15. Vera makes a ton of sense, but other potential opponents include No. 11-ranked Payton Talbott and No. 12-ranked Vinicius Oliveira.

Marlon Vera is on a 4-Fight Losing Skid

While Jourdan is on the up-and-up in his MMA career, Vera is on the downside of his career. Vera has lost his last four fights in a row, and five of his last six overall. Though he is just 33, Vera has been fighting in the UFC since 2014, and the damage is beginning to add up. He still has an incredible chin, having never been knocked out in his MMA career, but his speed and reflexes are slowing. Still, he is one of the most respected bantamweights in the sport, and he is tough as hell, having never been finished in his entire 36-fight MMA career.