UFC San Diego: Marlon Vera KOs Dominick Cruz with nasty head kick (Video)
Despite another slow start early on, Marlon Vera ends his fight with Dominick Cruz in spectacular fashion with a head kick at UFC San Diego
Looking to make a statement and take out another UFC legend, Marlon Vera accomplished his mission at UFC San Diego, coming from behind to deliver a devastating knockout of Dominick Cruz in the main event.
Vera, who entered ranked No. 5, has now won four straight and five of six and can now be considered in the upper-most echelon of contenders, placing himself squarely in the UFC bantamweight title picture.
UFC San Diego: Marlon Vera drops, finishes Dominick Cruz with head kick
CHITO VERA JUST KNOCKED OUT DOM CRUZ WITH A NASTY HEAD KICK #UFCSanDiego https://t.co/P6YS1RP15P
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) August 14, 2022
Vera, a known slow starter, looked to be in control early on after dropping Cruz with a hook. But Cruz rose up and worked over Vera well with low kicks and combinations, with Vera’s only other scare in the round coming on a triangle submission attempt from bottom.
The two had quite the striking brawl in the second round, though Cruz’s output seemed more overbearing in both quantity and quality. Vera attempted to pick things back up in the third with some urgency, even stuffing a couple of Cruz takedown attempts and making Cruz pay for trying to pressure.
Vera’s power fully came forward in the fourth, dropping Cruz with a jab about a minute into the round. In this round, it was clear Vera had taken full control and was the one pressuring. Then, Vera brought it all home by dropping and knocking out Cruz with a head kick.
Next. UFC San Diego: Marlon Vera vs. Dominick Cruz live results [UPDATED]. dark