UFC Fight Night: Marlon Vera vs David Martinez Preview & Prediction
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A potential changing of the guard moment serves as the card’s co-main event, with Marlon Vera defending his spot in the rankings from the upstart, David Martinez.
Marlon Vera vs David Martinez facts
What time are Marlon Vera and David Martinez expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh main card
Brandon Moreno vs Lone'er Kavanagh (Flyweight)
Marlon Vera vs David Martinez (Bantamweight)
Daniel Zellhuber vs King Green (Lightweight)
Edgar Chairez vs Felipe Bunes (Flyweight)
Imanol Rodriguez vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
Santiago Luna vs Angel Pacheco (Bantamweight)
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh prelims
Ryan Gandra vs Jose Daniel Medina (Middleweight)
Ailin Perez vs Macy Chiasson (Women’s Bantamweight)
Cristian Quinonez vs Kris Moutinho (Bantamweight)
Douglas Silva de Andrade vs Javier Reyes (Featherweight)
Regina Tarin vs Ernesta Kareckaite (Catchweight - 130lbs)
Erik Silva vs Francis Marshall (Featherweight)
Damian Pinas vs Wesley Schultz (Middleweight)
Marlon Vera: Can "Chito" add to his record number of bantamweight finishes?
After a long and storied career as one of the bantamweight division’s most potent finishing threats, the end may be finally drawing near for Marlon Vera (23-11-1). The former title challenger enters this contest on the first three fight skid of his career, most recently coming up short to Aiemann Zahabi in October. Long renowned for his ridiculous levels of durability, “Chito” also owns the most finishes in bantamweight history with ten stoppages. However, with his last finish coming all the way back in 2022 against a long-past-their-prime Dominick Cruz, the Ecuadorian has arguably lost much of the fear factor that earned him a terrifying aura at 135 pounds.
David Martinez: Will the "Doctor" impress in front of an adoring home crowd?
Returning for his second consecutive co-main event, it’s remarkable to think that David Martinez (13-1) is just two fights removed from earning a contract on the Contender Series. A qualified surgeon outside of his burgeoning MMA career, Martinez made the most of his opportunity against divisional stalwart, Rob Font, at UFC Noche, booting the veteran from the bantamweight rankings with a hard fought decision victory. An explosive striker who bounces confidently in his stance before unleashing vicious strikes, the primary knock against Martinez is his tendency to rely on single shots rather than throwing in combination. Nevertheless, the Mexican prospect has scored ten KOs in thirteen professional victories to underline the threat he poses on the feet.
Marlon Vera vs David Martinez prediction
Vera is notorious for possessing what is arguably the greatest chin in bantamweight history. With that being said, he’s equally renowned for the fact that you do not need to KO him in order to beat him in fairly straightforward fashion these days.
While “Chito” was much more aggressive during the earlier days of his career, he’s seemingly content to stand menacingly at range in the hopes that his opponent wanders into head kick range a la Frankie Edgar or Dominick Cruz. More frustratingly still, he has zero urgency when he does actually manage to hurt the man in front of him; Vera stunned Aimenn Zahabi badly in his last fight, only to immediately ease off the pressure and ultimately lose a decision.
Martinez doesn’t look to be the most technical operator at 135 pounds, but his edge in youth, speed, and athleticism was enough to carry him to victory over Rob Font in his last fight. That’s a telling result, given that prime Font technically outclassed “Chito” in their 2022 tilt. The New England Cartel standout dominated all of the output numbers in their fight, but ultimately lost a decision based on damage after nearly getting finished by Vera on multiple occasions.
As such, if “Doctor” is able to avoid lapses in his defense that allow “Chito” the opportunity to land potential fight-enders across three rounds, he looks to be a shoe-in to score a decision victory.
Prediction: David Martinez to win by decision
