SAN ANTONIO – UFC on ESPN 43 took place Saturday at AT&T Center in San Antonio. The main card aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.
In the main event, Marlon Vera (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) takes on Cory Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in a fight between bantamweight contenders. In the co-feature, former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) met Yana Santos (14-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC).
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 43 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv ) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Victor Altamirano vs. Vinicius Salvador
Round 1 – The UFC’s return to San Antonio is underway and the crowd is already making themselves heard – a stark difference from the empty arena curtain jerkers at T-Mobile Arena. Anyway, the flyweights are wasting no time. Altamirano diving for a takedown and Salvador stuffs. Salvador throws a wild, winging combination that whiffs. Altamirano tries another takedown. This one, he strains and gets. Altamirano is on top in guard. Eventually, Salvador gets up along the fence and they separate. Altamirano shoots but Salvador acrobatically evades, then goes full Anderson Silva as he walks to the cage and taunts while Altamirano gets back to his feet. Salvador lands a wild combination before Altamirano ties him up and the round ends. 10-9 Altamirano.
Round 2 – Altamirano comes out aggressive and lands a nice combination. As Salvador dips in, Altamirano throws a spinning backfist that misses. Salvador grabs hold of Altamirano’s back mid-spin and controls him briefly before they separate. Altamirano shoots again and nearly gets a takedown but Salvador pops up. They’re still tied up, though. Altamirano drives Salvador into the fence. Salvador hip-tossed Altamirano down and lands a few punches as they rise to their feet. Altamirano dips his head to avoid a Salvador combo but moves the wrong way. The punches drill him directly in the head. Altamirano has to be careful with that. He’s walking into these strikes fairly often. The fighters are both opening up more and the wild striking exchanges seem to favor Salvador, who is really pushing the pace. Salvador land a clean punch, then follows it up with a head kick. That may have been his best combination of the fight thus far. The round ends. 19-19.
Round 3 – Things get a little wild as Altamirano dips and dodges Salvador’s attack. Altamirano shoots for a takedown and gets it. Salvador briefly threatens a guillotine choke but Altamirano pops his head out. Altamirano is in Salvador’s guard. Salvador shoves Altamirano off and scrambles to his feet. Both guys are tired but the wild offensive attempts continue. Altamirano misses a spinning backfist but secures another takedown. Salvador grabs a full handful of fence and receives a warning from referee Kerry Hatley. Eventually, Salvador gets up the legal way. Altamirano spams the takedown but Salvador shoves him off. Salvador lands a nice knee to the body in the clinch. Back at distance, Salvador tries a handstand kick a la Anthony Pettis. In a choreographed-looking way, Altamirano ducks under it. Salvador lands a good punch. Altamirano tries another takedown but eats some big body punches by Salvador, who is split open above his eye. Altamirano lands a spinning back fist. Salvador shoves Altamirano over and the fight ends. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Altamirano.
Result: Victor Altamirano def. Vinicius Salvador via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Victor Altamirano def. Vinicius Salvador
Records: Victor Altamirano (12-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Vinicius Salvador (14-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Gino Garcia, Chris Lee (scoring Round 2 for Salvador)
Daniel Lacerda vs. CJ Vergara
Round 1 – Wow. There is an absolutely thunderous applause for San Antonio’s own CJ Vergara, who is all sorts of fired up – expending a lot of energy during Bruce Buffer’s introduction. Vergara comes out with leg kicks. Lacerda tries a big flying knee that gets oohs and aahs out of the crowd. Lacerda lands a big head kick and Vergara is on all sorts of retreat. They are literally doing laps around the cage as Lacerda chases a stunned Vergara. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen something like this. Lacerda running after Vergara and he drops him. Vergara gets up and it’s back to the road race. Vergara sprinting and Lacerda catches him with a spinning wheel kick. Vergara pops up and Lacerda continues the onslaught. Vergara is just avoiding. He’s not really fighting back. Referee Jason Herzog is on top of the action with all sorts of warnings directed at Vergara. Lacerda continues to unload but you have to wonder how much energy is being expended. Lacerda gets a takedown and works to the back. Lacerda seeks a rear-naked choke and he looks like he could get it. Somehow Vergara escapes. Wow. Lacerda looks a little tired. The round ends – and what a round it was. I’m stunned Vergara survived. 10-8 Lacerda.
Round 2 – The crowd gives another thunderous sounding of support for Vergara, who appears to be the fresher fighter in Round 2. Lacerda grabs hold of Vergara on a takedown attempt and tries for a calf slicer. Lacerda doesn’t have proper position and Vergara ends up on top. Vergara raining down ground-and-pound. Herzog now warning Lacerda to move and he does. Vergara goes for an arm triangle but Lacerda is hanging in there. Vergara drives a series of knees to the body mid-choke, then lets go. Vergara goes back to ground-and-pound and the crowd is going bonkers. Herzog is close to stepping in. Lacerda rolls to his stomach and that’s it. What. A. Comeback. Unreal turnaround by Vergara after he was hunted and battered in Round 1.
Result: CJ Vergara def. Daniel Lacerda via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 4:04
Recap: San Antonio’s CJ Vergara pulls insane comeback to finish Daniel Lacerda
Photos: CJ Vergara def. Daniel Lacerda
Records: Daniel Lacerda (11-5 MMA, 0-4 UFC), CJ Vergara (11-4-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Trevin Giles vs. Preston Parsons
Round 1 – Lots of Texas on tonight’s card, which is nice to see. The crowd certainly appreciates it. A touch of gloves and Parsons grabs double underhooks on Giles, who reverses against the fence. Giles gives up on driving Parsons into the fence. They clinch again and separate. Giles lands a nice two-punch combination. Parsons comes in aggressive and Giles feeds him another punch. Parsons jumps in and clinches, driving Giles into the fence. They separate. Giles has more success in the striking, so Parsons shoots and eventually escapes the clutches of his opponent. Oh. And here the tables have turned. Parsons connects with a sneaky right hand that puts Giles on roller skates. Parsons puts Giles down with a combination. Parsons tries a rear-naked choke but Giles evades. Giles trying a buggy choke from the bottom. Parsons breaks the grasp and moves right into mount. Giles gives up his back and Parsons snatches the neck again. Giles escapes as Parsons goes for an armbar. Giles properly defends it, stepping over and ending up on top. The two fighters get up and the round ends. 10-9 Parsons.
Round 2 – After a brief exchange, Parsons ties up Giles along the fence. They break. Giles’ jab has found its mark quite a bit in this fight. Parsons lands a straight punch as he rushes in. Parsons grabs Giles’ legs, elevates, and drags the fight down. Giles gets up along the fence but Parsons drags him back down. Giles slips out and lands a punch. Parsons comes in for a low single leg but whiffs. Giles punches him in the side of the head. Parsons gets up but he looks tired. Both guys, actually, seem to be laboring in the cardio department. Parsons shoots for a takedown but botches it and Giles is driving his head into the canvas with his hips. Giles gets up and Parsons is smushing him into the cage once again. Giles reverses position and Parsons laboredly tries a toss. Giles lands on top though and is in half guard. Parsons grabs an underhook but Giles flattens him back down into half guard. Parsons’ face is supremely swollen. Giles lands a series of big ground-and-pound punches as the round ends. 19-19.
Round 3 – Referee Kerry Hatley calls the cage-side doctor in to take a look at the around-the-eyes swelling of Parsons. The doctor gives his approval and we’re underway in Round 3. Parsons immediately ties up Giles against the fence. Giles pushes away and Parsons drills him with a calf kick. Parsons lands a good punch that gets Giles attention. Both guys are getting wild but it seems like Parsons is getting the best of these exchanges. They clinch and separate. Giles jab cracks the nose of Parsons, who wipes blood and shoots for a takedown. Parsons gets the takedown against. Giles scoots his butt toward the cage and gets up. Parsons tries a big knee. Giles pushes him away and triples up with a jab. Just to reiterate, Giles’ jab is money in this fight. Parsons is exhausted as he shoots for another sloppy takedown. Giles makes him pay. Parsons shoots again and gets the takedown into half guard. Parsons briefly secures a crucifix position. Parsons threatens with an arm-triangle choke but the fence is blocking him from hopping to the proper side. Parsons has Giles mounted and goes for an armbar. Giles slips out and lands on top. Parsons grabs hold of a leg and eats an elbow. The round and fight end with the buzzer. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Parsons.
Result: Trevin Giles def. Preston Parsons via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Photos: Trevin Giles def. Preston Parsons
Records: Trevin Giles (16-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC), Preston Parsons (10-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Gino Garcia, Jacob Montalvo (29-28 Giles, scoring Round 1 for Parsons); Sal D’Amato (29-28 Parsons, scoring Round 2 for Giles)
Lucas Alexander vs. Steven Peterson
Round 1 – After three pretty balls-to-the-wall fights to kick off this card, this fight is starting a bit more methodical and measured. Both guys are not wasting much energy or movement. There are jabs and calf kicks but nothing significant. Alexander lands a nice punch. They’re directly in the middle of the cage. Peterson moves forward but his volume remains low. Peterson cracks a body kick, then a leg kick. Alexander returns with two punches and a high kick. There’s a big welt on the right side of Peterson’s forehead, but of course he’s unbothered. Alexander lands a good body shot. His striking has been slick and quick tonight, but again, nothing too effective has landed thus far. Peterson rushes in as the 10-minute warning sounds and Alexander puts him down with a punch. Alexander does not pursue Peterson down to the canvas and the round ends. 10-9 Alexander.
Round 2 – Alexander lands a hard calf kick and it noticeably stings Peterson. As Alexander pursues, Peterson grabs hold. They separate. Alexander checks a leg kick and returns with punches. Peterson limps. Alexander cracks a body kick. Alexander lands another low kick. Alexander is bombing leg kicks at Peterson. As Peterson moves away from the fence, Alexander drills him with a flying knee to the body. Peterson, visibly immobilized, dives for a takedown and absorbs a leg kick on the way down. Alexander lets Peterson up. Peterson now in southpaw. Peterson rushes in twice and decides against his considered strikes, pulling up midway through. Peterson looks like Charlie Brown as the round ends, his kick whiffing as he falls on his back. 20-18 Alexander.
Round 3 – Alexander’s distance is so good. He’s keeping Peterson at bay with kicks and jabs. Alexander lands a leg kick and smiles. Peterson moves in and punts Alexander directly in the cup. You could hear the thud on that one. Referee Jacob Montalvo calls timeout as Alexander writhes in pain. After a brief break, the action resumes. Peterson shoots for a takedown. He’s pressing Alexander against the fence. Alexander flips him around and throws him on the ground. Alexander swarms Peterson with some ground-and-pound. Alexander gets off Peterson and tries an axe kick to the midsection. The crowd didn’t like it (perhaps the optics of a stomp to a grounded opponent) but it appeared to be legal. Alexander lets Peterson back up. Peterson gets there gingerly. After a few more exchanges, Alexander drops Peterson with a counter right hand. Peterson gets up and Alexander tries a flying knee. It gets a reaction from the crowd and Peterson puts his hands up. The round ends. MMA Junkie scores it 30-27 Alexander.
After the bout, Steven Peterson announced his retirement from MMA.
Result: Lucas Alexander def. Steven Peterson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Lucas Alexander def. Steven Peterson
Records: Lucas Alexander (8-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Steven Peterson (19-11 MMA, 3-5 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jacob Montalvo
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Gino Garcia, Joel Ojeda
Manel Kape vs. Alex Perez - CANCELED
Prior to the start of the main card, the UFC announced Manel Kape vs. Alex Perez has been canceled due to an undisclosed medical issue with Perez. As a result, Tucker Lutz vs. Daniel Pineda has been bumped to the main card.
Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Manel Kape (18-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Alex Perez (24-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging:
Tucker Lutz vs. Daniel Pineda
Round 1 – After a long, cancellation-induced intermission, we are back. Big pop for Texas-based Daniel Pineda. He ties Tucker Lutz up early against the fence. Lutz reverses. They separate. Pineda is targeting Lutz’s lead leg with kicks. Lutz fires a punch to the body, then to the head. Pineda lands another leg kick but Lutz blasts him with another combination. Pineda shoots all the way across the cage and drives Lutz against the fence. Lutz defends successfully and once again reverses the position against the fence. They separate. Lutz lands a good punch but Pineda clips him hard in the exchange. Lutz falls to the canvas and gets back up. That’s a big moment. Lutz shoots. Pineda uses his opponent’s momentum to turn him into the cage. Lutz pushes him away. Lutz lands a hard combination. Pineda cracks another leg kick, then an overhand right. Pineda catches a Lutz body kick and the round ends. 10-9 Pineda.
Round 2 – Pineda comes out firing with hard multipunch combinations that tag Lutz, much to the delight of the crowd. Lutz shoots for a takedown and once again pushes Pineda into the fence. Pineda threatens a guillotine to turn Lutz into the fence and then cracks him with two hard knees. Lutz drops to become a grounded opponent and Pineda torques for a guillotine choke. Pineda pulls back but Lutz pops his head out. Pineda has Lutz’s back and moves to mount for a split second. Lutz shifts his hips to send Pineda into his guard. Pineda grabs Lutz’s neck again and pulls. This one is tight. And theres’ the tap. Pineda wins in front of his home state crowd with a beautiful submission.
Result: Daniel Pineda def. Tucker Lutz via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:50
Photos: Daniel Pineda def. Tucker Lutz
Records: Tucker Lutz (12-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Daniel Pineda (28-14 MMA, 5-5 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Albert Duraev vs. Chidi Njokuani
Round 1 – “USA” chants rain down as the fight begins. Njokuani is very visibly the longer fighter here. He’s staying on the outside, rotating and reverse-rotating around Duaev. After some more feeling out, Duraev gets Njokuani down. Duraev traps one of Njokuani’s legs. One of Njokuani’s arms is trapped under him. With only two Njokuani limbs free, Duraev starts whaling on him with punches. Njokuani absorbs blows to get up to his feet against the fence, which he does. Duraev still is on him though and he takes Njokuani back down with a thud. Duraev lands some more ground-and-pound until the bell sounds. 10-9 Duraev.
Round 2 – Njokuani comes out cautious as he teeps the midsection of Duraev and gets on his bicycle. Njokuani lands a punch. Duraev isn’t doing a whole lot. I wonder if he’s just waiting for his moment to drag this back down. All of a sudden, Duraev perks up. He has more bounce in his step. Njokuani lands an inside leg kick. They trade jabs. Njokuani cracks Duraev with a hard punch. Duraev didn’t like that, though the crowd did. The two fighters finish off the round with more patient point-fighting. 19-19.
Round 3 – Njokuani rips a body kick that knocks Duraev backward. Duraev signals to the crowd to relax. Njokuani lands a left jab. There’s a lot of movement from each guy. Duraev shoots for a takedown against the fence and switches from a double to a single leg. Njokuani defends and shoves Duraev away. Njokuani is bleeding, as he rips another body kick. Duraev jabs. Njokuani returns. Duraev lands an outside leg kick, then an inside one. A hard Duraev right hand sneaks in and tags Njokuani, who goes back to the body kick with another loud one. Njokuani lands a head kick as the final horn sounds. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Njokuani.
Result: Albert Duraev def. Chidi Njokuani via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Albert Duraev def. Chidi Njokuani
Records: Albert Duraev (16-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Chidi Njokuani (22-9 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Dan Miragliotta (29-28 Duraev, scoring Round 3 for Njokuani); Chris Lee (29-28 Njokuani, scoring Round 1 for Duraev)
Maycee Barber vs. Andrea Lee
Round 1 – Lee comes out kick heavy. Barber grabs Lee’s foot and lands a series of punches. Barber grabs another kick. With every strike, Lee is letting out an audible “hut.” Lee takes Barber down and is in side control. Barber somehow grabs Lee’s arm with her legs from the bottom, so that Lee’s arm is awkwardly twisted behind her own back. Barber lands a series of up-elbows, but eventually Lee frees her arm. Barber scrambles back to her feet moments later. Back in the center, Barber lands a combination. She appears to be the much quicker fighter. Lee lands a slapping high kick. Both fighters trade kicks. The round ends. 10-9 Barber.
Round 2 – The second round begins the same way the first one ended, with an exchange of kicks. Barber tries a spinning kick that misses. Lee tries a leaping kick that also misses. Barber shoots for a takedown. Lee drops to her knees but then fights off the takedown and gets up. Barber connects with an overhand right. Simultaneous kicks land, then Barber tags Lee, who retreats. On her retreat, Lee eats another punch from the charging Barber. Perhaps Barber got a little too wild though, because Lee just took her down. Lee is in Barber’s guard. Lee gets off Barber and is standing over her. Barber, looking up at Lee, absorbs multiple axe kicks to the midsection. Eventually, Lee dives back into Barber’s guard and lands a few hard hammerfists. The round ends. The rounds have been close, but 20-18 Barber.
Round 3 – Barber comes out aggressive, again. She’s a woman on a mission, but Lee grabs her and takes her down. Barber escapes back up to her feet and pushes Lee against the fence. Lee’s mouthpiece falls out. They break and referee Kerry Hatley gives the mouthpiece back to Lee. Time in. Barber is spamming kicks again. Lee kicks Barber’s leg. Barber tries a high kick that misses. Both women are fighting with a sense of urgency. It could be anyone’s fight, which I guess is a given any time their are fights in Texas. Lee throws a lazy kick right as Barber shoots. Barber drives Lee to the canvas. Lee works to get up but Barber pummels her with a few hard punches as they get up. Lee tosses Barber to the canvas. Barber gets back up, her nose busted. Lee ties up Barber against the fence and takes Barber down. Lee is in half guard where she rides out the round. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Barber.
Result: Maycee Barber def. Andrea Lee via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Recap: Maycee Barber edges Andrea Lee by split decision
Photos: Maycee Barber def. Andrea Lee
Records: Maycee Barber (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), Andrea Lee (13-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Frank Collazo (29-28 Barber, scoring Round 3 for Lee); Dan Miragliotta (30-27 Lee); Chris Lee (29-28 Lee, scoring Round 1 for Barber)
Nate Landwehr vs. Austin Lingo
Round 1 – Lingo comes out with a jab. He’s the aggressor early. Lingo lands a flurry that backs Landwehr all the way up against the cage. Lingo runs in for another combination and Landwehr feeds him a counterpunch. Landwehr is bleeding less than one minute into the fight. Apparently, it was from a clash of heads. Landwehr is rolling really well with Lingo’s punches. Landwehr grabs double underhooks but Lingo immediately wiggles away. Lingo keeps trying an overhand right, but it’s coming up just short of the target. Lingo is landing a lot of punches to the arms of Landwehr, who is shielding his dome. Landwehr tries again to tie up Lingo, but no dice. Landwehr lands a two-punch combination and finishes it off with a hard leg kick. Lingo lands a hard left hand. Landwehr tries a little jumping knee but Lingo punches him twice in the face. The round ends. 10-9 Landwehr.
Round 2 – Lingo lands a combination and jabs. Landwehr goes back to his leg kicks. The hard overhand right Lingo has been seeking finally lands. That caught Landwehr’s attention. Landwehr connects on a hard leg kick followed by two straight right hands. Landwehr is pushing the pace much more in Round 2 than he was Round 1. Landwehr backs Lingo up with a combination and cracks him with a head kick. That one hurt Lingo. Landwehr tries a few more head kicks but Lingo blocks. Landwehr ties up Lingo and drags him down. Landwehr flips to the back and grabs hold of Lingo’s neck, seeking a rear-naked choke. Lingo appears to be in trouble as Landwehr pulls him backward. Landwehr squeezes and squeezes and gets the tap.
Result: Nate Landwehr def. Austin Lingo via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:11
Recap: Nate Landwehr taps Austin Lingo with a ‘sucker punch rear-naked choke’
Photos: Nate Landwehr def. Austin Lingo
Records: Nate Landwehr (17-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Austin Lingo (9-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Jason Herzog
Holly Holm vs. Yana Santos
Round 1 – Santos immediately ties Holm up in the clinch and pushes her backward into the cage. Eventually, Holm reverses position. Lots of wall-and-stall going on here in Round 1 with some very short punches by each fighter throughout. Santos reverses the reversal. Holm breaks after over three minutes against the fence. They tie up again and then break. Once back in center cage, Santos gets a little over aggressive and Holm takes her down. Holm moves into side control and drives her shoulder into Santos’ face before the round ends. 10-9 Holm.
Round 2 – Santos stumbles down after an exchange, but gets back up. As the crowd chants, “Holly, Holly, Holly,” Holm takes Santos down and is in side control again. Holm briefly moves into mount before half guard. Holm is directly in front of her corner, with wrestling coach Izzy Martinez barking directions as Mike Winkeljohn looks on. Holm slices to side control again and attempts a crucifix position. Santos is drowning here. She can’t escape. With one minute remaining in the round, Holm finally finds the crucifix she’s sought. After some short shots, Santos sneaks her arm away from the trap. Holm shoulders Santos in the face and then steps into mount. Holm is pounding away. Santos is getting battered with elbows, but the round expires. 20-17 Holm.
Round 3 – Santos tries to initiate the clinch but can’t get a grip of Holm. Moments later, Holm tests her own luck. Holm grabs Santos and eventually gets a takedown. Holm moves directly into mount. Santos is controlling Holm’s posture. Holm briefly threatens an armbar but she loses mount. In half guard, Holm goes to side control again. Holm grabs a wrist for a gift wrap. As Santos sits up, Holm threatens a rear-naked choke. Santos decides to slide back down to the canvas. Holm is in half guard, isolating Santos’ arm again. Santos gets away and up only to be double-legged back down. The fight ends with Holm in side control. MMA Junkie scores it 30-26 Holm.
Result: Holly Holm def. Yana Santos via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Holly Holm dominates Yana Santos in one-sided decision
Photos: Holly Holm def. Yana Santos
Records: Holly Holm (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC), Yana Santos (14-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Jacob Montalvo
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Jason Herzog (30-27); Chris Lee (30-26, scoring a 10-8 in Round 2)
Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen
Round 1 – The fight begins with chants of “Chito”, as the fighters both throw kicks. Sandhagen throws another. Both fighters feint. The intensity is certainly up a few notches for this one. Sandhagen quickly switching stances between orthodox and southpaw. Sandhagen lands a combination, then a leg kick. Sandhagen lands another leg kick and follows it with a left hand, as he backs Vera up against the fence. Vera nearly has his head taken off by a Sandhagen head kick while circling away. Sandhagen lands a jumping knee, then grabs hold of Vera’s leg. Sandhagen takes Vera down against the fence and postures up. Sandhagen pounding away with elbows. He’s muscling Vera big time. Vera tries to kick Sandhagen off. No luck. Sandhagen is smothering him. A shot from the bottom from Vera busted Sandhagen open it appears. He’s gushing all over Vera. Sandhagen lands more ground-and-pound. The round ends with Sandhagen on top. 10-9 Sandhagen.
Round 2 – Coach Jason Parillo tells Vera he needs to fight with urgency. Sandhagen, however, is the one who comes out once again pushing the pace. Sandhagen digs the midsection of Vera with a hard punch. Sandhagen shoots for a takedown and gets it. Vera threatens a guillotine choke. Sandhagen doesn’t panic and slips his head out. Sandhagen is in half guard, heavy on top. Vera threatening a leg submission. Sandhagen evades and moves to side control. Sandhagen lands a few short punches and back elbows. Vera covers Sandhagen’s mouth but I think he’ll need more defense than that. Sandhagen threatens a kimura, then tries to switch to a D’Arce choke. Vera is slippery though and scrambles to his feet. One minute left in the round. Sandhagen kicks the lead leg of Vera, then flings an uppercut that gets blocked. Vera catches a Sandhagen kick and shoves the leg away. Sandhagen leaps for a flying knee but again it’s blocked. Vera moves forward aggressively as the round ends. 20-18 Sandhagen.
Round 3 – Parillo tells Vera he’s “bumming” him out a bit and asks him if he’s OK prior to the start of the round. Vera affirms he’s all right and the action resumes. Sandhagen slips on a kick and ends up on his back. Sandhagen gets up before Vera has a chance to capitalize on the mishap. Sandhagen continues to target the lead calf of Vera. They’re fighting at a slow pace right now. Vera breaks the stalemate with a cracking two-punch combination. Sandhagen returns with a punch and shoots for a takedown. This time, Vera shoves Sandhagen away. Body-head goes Sandhagen. After Sandhagen lands an uppercut, Vera lands a multilevel combination. Sandhagen lands a leg kick. Vera tries a spinning back kick and a leaping knee but each misses. 30-27 Sandhagen.
Round 4 – Sandhagen ties up Vera, who separates. Sandhagen shoots for a takedown but Vera stuffs it hard. Vera pumps the jab. Sandhagen moves forward. Not much volume from either guy here. This has been tremendously technical. Sandhagen tries his signature flying knee again. Vera avoids. Vera tries a one-two, but comes up a little short. Vera lands a leg kick, a strike a lot of people thought we’d see quite a bit from him in this fight, though we really haven’t. Sandhagen dips and dodges. Vera tries a spinning backfist. No dice. Outside of a hard combination in Round 3, Vera has had very little offense. Just as I type that, he lands a solid combination. 40-36 Sandhagen.
Round 5 – Sandahgen ties up Vera, who shoves him away. Sandhagen lands a knee to the body, then shoots for another takedown, which he gets. Sandhagen is in Vera’s guard. Vera briefly threatens a triangle choke. Vera sees a window to escape and nearly does, but Sandhagen jumps back on top of him. Vera threatening some upkicks from the bottom, but he has to be careful. Sandhagen is still grounded. Regardless, Vera’s leg flails caused enough separation for him to scramble up and away. Back in the center, the clock winds past the midway point of the round. Vera lands a good left hand. Sandhagen returns with one of his own. Sandhagen continues switching stances over and over. Sandhagen circling and circling as Vera walks toward him. Sandhagen shoots but bails as he didn’t have what he needed. Vera catches a Sandhagen kick and grabs hold of the back in the clinch. Vera lands a nice elbow and punch. Another flying knee attempt by Sandhagen whiffs. Vera explodes with a combination, as he tries to pull off the hail Mary. But Sandhagen weathers the late storm. MMA Junkie scores it 49-46 Sandhagen.
Result: Cory Sandhagen def. Marlon Vera via split decision (48-47, 50-45, 49-46)
Recap: Cory Sandhagen too tricky for Marlon Vera in puzzling split decision
Photos: Cory Sandhagen def. Marlon Vera
Records: Marlon Vera (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC), Cory Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Chris Lee (49-46 Sandhagen, scoring Round 3 for Vera); Sal D’Amato (50-45 Sandhagen); Joel Ojeda (48-47 Vera; scoring Round 1 and Round 2 for Sandhagen)
