[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] and [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
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Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo UFC on ABC 7 preview
How will Vera (23-9-1 MMA, 15-8 UFC) respond to his bantamweight title-fight loss to Sean O’Malley this past March at UFC 299? That is the question. Unsurprisingly, Vera has promised to make an example of Figueiredo in hopes of making a second run at a title shot. … Figueiredo (23-3-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC), a former two-time flyweight champion, aims to continue his quest toward a second belt after beating Rob Font and most recently ex-champ Cody Garbrandt in his first two appearances at bantamweight.
Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo UFC on ABC 7 expert pick, prediction
In a fight that should’ve easily been the choice to co-main event this card, Figueiredo will do battle with Vera at 135 pounds.
Even if Figueiredo isn’t the biggest bantamweight on the roster, the former flyweight kingpin has proven why people like myself have long predicted the Brazilian to both move up and do well in this division.
Although I’m upset that the matchmakers continue to miss the biggest layup in the world by not booking Figueiredo against Petr Yan for an undeniable stylistic orgasm of epic proportions, I suppose we could do worse than a three-round action fight with the always-game Vera.
In Vera’s defense, I’d be tempted to take a flier on him as an underdog if this were a five-round affair. But with only 15 minutes to cover, I suspect that Figueiredo can dictate the bulk of the action while landing the harder blows via crushing counters.
The pick is Figueiredo by unanimous decision.
Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo UFC on ABC 7 odds
Despite the oddsmakers opening this fight as a pick’em, public money has come in on the former flyweight champ, listing Figueiredo -142 and Vera +116 via FanDuel.
Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo UFC on ABC 7 start time, how to watch
Vera and Figueiredo are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ABC and stream on ESPN+.
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.