BJ Penn Names 'Championship Quality' Marlon Vera Has Ahead Of UFC 292 Return

During episode one of the UFC 292 Embedded: Vlog Series, former lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn was present as Vera completed a training session. Like the bantamweight fighter, "The Prodigy" trained under Jason Parillo at the RVCA Training Center.

Penn told the camera that he frequently trains with Vera, whom he firmly believes has what it takes to reach the top of the 135-pound division owing to one desirable quality.

"I always train with 'Chito,' but this time he took care of this by himself," Penn said. "Big boy now. You know, contender. He does have the championship qualities. What it is, is the work ethic. He wants it."

Vera will hope that his motivation and desire to improve guides him to a rebound performance this weekend. While he was originally slated to share the cage with top five contender Henry Cejudo, an injury to "Triple C" paved the way for Munhoz to step in on six weeks' notice.

Although the likes of Sandhagen and Merab Dvalishvili sit above "Chito" in contention, a victory over "The Young Punisher" would no doubt keep the Ecuadorian's name close to the mix.

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