We had a very exciting card jam-packed with action over the weekend at UFC Fight Night: Vera vs. Cruz. The main event especially had a lot of us on our feet, afraid to even blink. Let’s highlight the main event between Marlon Vera vs. Dominick Cruz in this week’s UFC recap.
UFC Bantamweight Main Event Bout
Entering fight night, Marlon Vera was the big favorite at -203 at your top-rated sportsbooks while Dominick Cruz was +173.
Honestly, while taking a first look at these UFC odds, I thought the underdog value with Dominick Cruz was too nice to pass up. But I will admit that his age was starting to show in this last bout on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Marlon Vera looked sharp and his cardio was on point. It was very clear as to why Vera was the favorite – if you still don’t know why then check out this main event recap below.
No glove tap to start the round, so you know this is going to be a hot one. Cruz is already applying the pressure, throwing heavy kicks on Vera. Another piercing leg kick from Cruz.
Vera was still reading Cruz and defending, not throwing any strikes yet.
Cruz then aimed to bring the fight down, but he let Vera up back to his feet. But what! Vera now dropped Cruz! Ah, but they’re back to their feet again.
Vera now started to pick up the pace with two mines left in the first round. Cruz tried to press Vera back but did not land any clean strikes.
Cruz switched levels again but this time followed through. He’s working in guard but Vera secured an armbar! Cruz was trying to defend and finally escaped as the round ended.
Cruz began the round again with a couple of leg kicks; you can tell they had been stinging Vera.
Vera walked down Cruz now, but nothing wild of an attack. It’s a technical bout at this point to see who could land on the other; nothing powerful.
Vera now connected cleanly with a right hand, and Cruz returned with his own combination.
Cruz shot for a takedown but Vera defended, and the round ended.
Cruz again with a heavy leg kick to sting Vera, quickly followed by a clean punch. But Vera returned with his own nasty straight right!
Ok, now we are talking. We’ve got some power in their punches now.
Cruz immediately answered Vera with a combination. He was looking fresh and was hunting down Vera. He shot for a takedown, but could not follow through.
More striking from Cruz and he was landing, but nothing powerful enough to sting Vera.
We had a swap of roles now; Vera began with the pressure on Cruz and is hunting for his finish.
A pause, and he dropped Cruz!
Cruz got back to his feet quickly, and he was hurt. No longer pressing forward, but circling on the outside.
Vera landed a clean head kick and dropped Cruz like a log! Vera hopped on top to finish with a few final shots until Referee Herb Dean called a stop to the fight. What a finish!
Marlon Vera defeated Dominick Cruz via knockout, R4 01:17
Up next on the UFC schedule, we have a very exciting PPV card for UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 on Saturday, August 12.
This entire card is filled with aggressive and talented contenders, so I am indeed expecting many finishes. If not, it’ll still be a very exciting card because we will have the likes of seeing Miranda Maverick, Marcin Tybura, Paulo Costa, and of course, Karamaru Usman.
Stay up to date with all of our expert handicappers’ weekly UFC picks content to help you make your best bets. Good luck!
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.