In one of the most stacked divisions in the UFC (bantamweight), two of the best fighters put on a classic bout in the main event of UFC San Diego. The main event saw the young rising prospect battling the former champion. In a pivotal 135 lbs bout with perhaps the future title implication, Marlon Vera knocked out Dominick Cruz in the fourth round after having a tough time in the early rounds.
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‘Chito’ put on a definitive performance potentially to earn himself a championship bout. However, it didn’t come easy.
The bout was going Cruz’s way. The Dominator was looking sharper than ever. However, ‘Chito‘ was stoic in his approach. Even though the timing and speed of the former bantamweight champion gave the Ecuador-born fighter some trouble, he landed a perfect head kick in the fourth round.
The former WEC and 2-time UFC champion fell down face first to the mat. This was the first time Cruz lost a non-title bout in the UFC. Whereas, it was the biggest win for Vera.
After the bout, the winner ran outside Octagon to find UFC President Dana White. Vera submitted he came into the sport to be a world champion, and he offered, “I’m Going to Be a F**king World Champion!”
Marlon Vera shocked fight fans with a wonderful performance
Fight fans were impressed with Vera after he knocked out Frankie Edgar and Dominick Cruz, two former world champions with brutal kicks one after the other. One even compared the 135 lbs star to WWE star Randy Orton, who beat multiple legends in pro wrestling.
CHITO VERA JUST KNOCKED OUT DOM CRUZ WITH A NASTY HEAD KICK #UFCSanDiego pic.twitter.com/P6YS1RP15P
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) August 14, 2022
"At the end of the day, we cannot control, so I'm not tripping. I will keep working, I will keep kicking ass, and Ecuador, I will be a world champion." – Marlon Vera #UFCSanDiego
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) August 14, 2022
Frankie Edgar, Dominick Cruz,
Marlon Vera is taking on Randy Orton's old gimmick – The Legend Killer. #UFCSanDiego
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) August 14, 2022
Chito really has evolved into bw Yoel Romero
— Chaz Lomack (@chazzsandiego) August 14, 2022
Dominick Cruz is in the zone right now.
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) August 14, 2022
Cruz- Vera, Cruz’ style difficult to deal with, blitzes you like Pacquiao, best bet is to time him as Vera did. #UFC
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) August 14, 2022
Dom tends to roll his head off to his right with his right hand down. Left kick by Chito would be a great answer to that. #UFCSanDiego @kaiboikamaka
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) August 14, 2022
About a minute later, the fight was over 🤯
Coach Eric Nicksick called it 🔮 #UFCSanDiego pic.twitter.com/hToJaKQi1X
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) August 14, 2022
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With such an emphatic win over the consensus GOAT of the division, Vera may fight the winner of the Aljamain Sterling versus T.J. Dillashaw championship bout.
The division already has a few exciting big-time matchups in the line for the next couple of months. The unofficial tournament-style booking of the 135 lbs division has made the already intriguing division more and more fun.
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What do you make of the brutal KO win by Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera at UFC San Diego? Share your opinion in the comments below.
