Marlon Vera celebrates after defeating Frankie Edgar during UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden. Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

A bantamweight showdown pitting Marlon Vera against Dominick Cruz is in the works to headline an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on Aug. 13.

 ESPN Deportes was first to report that both parties have verbally agreed to the five-round bout. The UFC Fight Night event is likely to be held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and will also see Alexa Grasso square off against Viviane Araujo in the evening’s co-main event.
 
This will be Vera’s second consecutive headlining engagement after he took a five-round verdict over Rob Font at UFC on ESPN 35 on April 30. “Chito” has been victorious in four of his last five Octagon appearances, with other wins coming against the likes of Frankie Edgar, Davey Grant and Sean O’Malley.

Cruz, a former 135-pound champion, is coming off a 2-0 2021. The Alliance MMA standout garnered a split verdict over Casey Kenney at UFC 259 before defeating Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision in his most recent appearance at UFC 269 this past December.

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