UFC Fight Night: Vera vs Cruz main card preview & best bets

The UFC travels to San Diego, California, for an interesting card that features some make-or-break fights. The main event pits former UFC bantamweight champion and San Diego resident Dominick Cruz, who is desperate for one more title run, against the charging Marlon Vera. The Ecuadorian is a winner of three straight and looks close to career-best form. The co-main event features featherweight prospect David Onama against newcomer Nate Ladwehr.

READ: Vera vs Cruz fight preview & betting picks

David Onama vs Nate Landwehr

This match-up pits a pair of unranked fighters looking to announce their skills to the fight world. With little by way of exposed form, we are tipping David Onama based on his 10-1-0 record and superior height and reach. Nate Landwehr is the more experienced combatant with a 15-4-0 record, but Onama looks more like a ready fighter, and we are tipping him to finish this via knockout.

Azamat Murzakanov vs Devin Clark

According to official sources, Devon Clark, with a record of 13-6-0, tips the scales at 223 lbs. Azamat Murzakanov, with an unbeaten record of 11-0-0 is listed as weighing 205 lbs. When it comes to heavyweights, bulk is merely one aspect to consider, and punters are siding with the Russian based on his impressive winning streak.

We can safely assume that Murzakanov will have added some pounds for this contest, and that his superior skills will be too much for Clark. Like most heavyweight fights, we expect this one to result in either a fast knockout, or a slow and laborious decision as the big men run out of gas. We are tipping the Russian via knockout here.

Cynthia Calvillo vs Nina Nunes

Cynthia Calvillo (9-4-1) has hit a rough patch of late, dropping three fights in a row, albeit against solid opposition in Andrea Lee, Jessica Andrade, and Katlyn Chookagian. With her last two losses coming via TKO, it’s a matter of now or never if the 35-year-old Californian is going to make a run up the rankings.

Nina Nunes (10-7-0) is also on a mini form slump having lost two on the trot to Mackenzie Dern and Tatiana Suarez. The losses come after Nunes staged a winning streak of four and looked to be headed toward the top of the divisional rankings. Despite the market’s preference, we are tipping Nunes to spring the upset here. She boasts a reach advantage and might be able to pick Calvillo apart from the outside.

Angela Hill vs Loopy Godinez

Angela Hill (13-12-0) is a long-time MMA veteran who is looking to arrest a three-fight losing skid. Across her lengthy career Hill has stood toe to toe with some of the flyweight and strawweight divisions’ best fighters, including Tecia Torres, Michelle Waterson, and Jessica Andrade. The chink in Hill’s arsenal is her failure to close out the close fights, and she has been on the wrong side of far too many narrow decision outcomes.

Loopy Godinez is the new blood here, coming in with an 8-2-0 record. Godinez made her UFC debut back in April 2021, and the 28-year-old is looking to establish a top 15 ranking with a win over her 13th-ranked opponent. We are tipping the younger Godinez to prevail via decision in this contest.

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