Updated:
Mar 25, 2023 6:52 pm
The UFC show rolls into San Antonio as Bantamweight strikers Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera facing off in the octagon.
Sandhagen vs Vera
These two top 10 Bantamweights promise to deliver an incredible fight, Sandhagen is an electric striker, able to break his opponents down with body work or head strikes, and is capable of a night ending high head kick too.
On the other side you have Vera who is arguably the best finisher in the 135 pound division, he is also currently riding a huge positive momentum wave winning four on the bounce coming into this match-up.
Due to both these fighters being high in the rankings, the fight holds real weight for the title aspirations of both, with the winner a definite possibility to be considered the next challenger to the belt.
Sandhagen will be dangerous early but Vera will try to make it his fight, getting into the pocket and making it a proper scrap, if that happens, I expect a late Vera win the set up a rematch with ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley. Vera via TKO Rnd 3
Holm vs Santos
In the co-main former UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion Holly Holm who is now in her 40s. Holm however despite recent injury woes has the conditioning to go all five rounds, even if she doesn’t seem as light on her feet.
Against Yana Santos, Holm faces a fighter who never quite fulfilled her reputation, and has struggled anytime she’s faced a superior athlete.
24 months ago, this fight would be a no-brainer to call but with Holm on the decline and a poor showing last time out expect it to be more difficult than expected for holm. That being said, she should have enough to win the fight. Holm via Decision
Barber vs Lee
Maycee Barber is one of the most hot and cold fighters on the roster, when she arrived, she claimed she was destined to win the belt, the youngest ever at that, however a torn ACL slowed her in her tracks. That being said she has since rebounded and is on a three fight win streak.
A physical freak with all the skills to dominate the division however she is raw, and that is the opening for her opponent Andrea Lee.
Lee is a skilled Muay Thai fighter however her lack of power has always been a detriment, she will likely outland Barber and has greater fight IQ given her experience. Ultimately this fight will be more competitive than many expect, but while an upset is very possible, Barber should have just enough to get past the Texan. Barber via Decision
Kape vs Perez
Manel Kape is amongst the most exciting fighters in the flyweight division, holding massive power in his hands and has proven he can be dynamic.
Alex Perez is a fighter through and through and will take the fight to Kape, which may be his downfall. Perez is quite average as an athlete, limited speed and power prohibit him in the octagon.
Therefore given the aggression of Perez and the power of Kape, this fight could go very similarly to when Perez fought Alexandre Pantoja and Deiveson Figueiredo. Kape should be able to make quick work of his opponent tonight. Kape TKO Rnd 1
