Cory Sandhagen vs Marlon Vera
March 25, 2023 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Marlon Vera +140 / Cory Sandhagen -165
(Get latest betting odds)
Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen face off on Saturday in a bantamweight showdown for the main event of UFC on ESPN 43 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. This fight was originally supposed to take place on February 18th, but it was shifted back to this event.
Vera vs Sandhagen Odds
Cory Sandhagen is the favorite sitting at -165 while Marlon Vera is the underdog sitting at +140. The total round is set at 4.5 with the over paying out -160.
Marlon Vera Betting Preview
Marlon Vera comes into this fight with a 20-7-1 record overall and he has won four fights in a row. In his last fight against Dominick Cruz in August of 2022, he was able to finish the fight by knockout. He was being outstruck 92-61 but he did have three knockdowns and midway through the 4th round he finished by knockout. Vera is averaging 4.28 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 5.01 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 0.68 takedowns every 15 minutes and is successful on 42 percent of his takedown attempts. He also stops 68 percent of his takedown attempts. He likes to lock in submissions and is averaging 1.1 submission attempts every 15 minutes.
Cory Sandhagen Betting Preview
On the other side of this matchup is Cory Sandhagen who sits with a 15-4 record overall and he has lost two of his last three fights. The one win came in his last fight against Song Yadong. He outstruck Yadong 94-54 and at the end of the 4th round, he finished the fight by knockout. Two fights ago against Petr Yan, he lost by a unanimous decision and in the last game against TJ Dillashaw he lost by a split decision. Sanhagen is averaging 6.15 significant strikes while absorbing 4.21 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 0.71 takedowns every 15 minutes but is only successful on 20 percent of his takedown attempts. He also stops 63 percent of his opponent’s takedown attempts.
Shane’s Free Pick
Both of these fighters have a ton of power in their hands, and this should be quite the show for the main event. Sandhagen has been tested heading into this fight, but he has been worn down in a couple of fights as of late, and that has led to the loss. Vera is averaging 4.28 significant strikes per minute and he’s going to put the pressure on Sandhagen. He might not get the knockout, but he’s going to get the win. Back Vera to pull the upset.
