Vera vs. Sandhagen Preview & Prediction

This Saturday, the Bantamweight division will see top contender Marlon “Chito” Vera take on Cory Sandhagen. Vera is the third-ranked bantamweight in the world while Sandhagen is the fifth- ranked bantamweight. The outcome of this fight will most certainly put the winner in position to either fight for the title or fight Sean O’Malley for the rights to move on to a championship fight later this year.

Vera is coming into this fight as one of the hottest fighters in the UFC. He has won four straight fights and is now famous on social media for the violent ways he has finished fights. His most recent, was a devastating knockout of Dominick Cruz. For Sandhagen, he has a 3-3 record in his past six fights, with a win over Song Yadong in September 2022. This may be Sandhagen’s last opportunity to get close to a title fight, as defeating the third-ranked fighter in the world would open the door to a date with Sean O’Malley or with the winner of Cejudo v. Sterling for the championship. Both fighters are precise and powerful strikers who look to put on a show. This bout will not be a grappling match, but a violent war that will be fought mostly on the feet.

Rollo’s Take

This is the type of fight that catapults a contender into the championship realm. Sandhagen is talented and dangerous, but in this fight, Chito Vera will come out on top. Vera is entering the prime of his career and has been on a warpath destroying every single opponent that he has faced in the past year. I see Vera winning once again and becoming a contender to fight for the championship or a rematch with Sean O’Malley with the winner moving on to face the bantamweight champion