Sean O’Malley looks to hand Marlon Vera his first stoppage.

Sean O’Malley envisions an outcome he’s familiar with when he meets Marlon Vera Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 252. “Sugar” acknowledges the name “Chito” has built for himself in the UFC, but is ready to put on another show.

“He’s in the UFC, he’s tough,” said O’Malley. “He’s beat people in the UFC, he’s finished people in the UFC. And he’s never been finished. So he’s all around, it’s a tough fight. It’s a good fight. He’s my toughest opponent to date. With that said, I’ll probably still drop him in the first round.”

The 25-year-old O’Malley (12-0) has eight finishes to his resume, with seven of those stoppages coming in the first round. The bantamweight sensation is coming off back-to-back first round knockouts, and Performance of The Night honors in his last two fights.

Although Vera (15-6) hasn’t been finished in the octagon, O’Malley notes his own abilities as a fast starter; paired with the Ecuadorian native’s style as a “slow starter.” Prior to his decision loss against Song Yadong in May, Vera had secured stoppages in his previous five fights.

“He’s never fought someone like me,” said O’Malley. “Anytime I fight someone, they’re never gonna have fought someone like me. I think I’m gonna be too much for him. I really do believe there’s certain levels to this game, obviously there is. And I feel like I’m on a different level than him. And I go out there Saturday night and prove that.”