UFC San Diego: Pros react to Marlon Vera finishing Marlon Vera
See how fellow fighters reacted to Marlon Vera closing out UFC San Diego by knocking Dominick Cruz out cold
Marlon Vera came to UFC San Diego a man on a mission and he’ll leave accomplished, knocking our former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz in the main event and solidifying himself as a title shot candidate.
Vera dropped Cruz with a hook very early, but Cruz recovered and dominated for most of th eroudn otherwise. Cruz utilized his low kicks and combinations and work on the body of Vera, with Vera’s only other notable moment in the first being a triangle submission attempt.
Cruz continued to use his combinations to success in the second, but Vera turned up the heat in the third round. Vera seemed to be re-energized with a sense of urgency and he stuffed a couple of Cruz takedown attempts.
Vera dropped Cruz again in the fourth round as he began to pressure Cruz back before finishing things with a devastating head-kick knockout.
UFC San Diego: Pros react to Marlon Vera vs. Dominick Cruz
Father Time is truly undefeated. I said before this fight, that it may be the passing of the guards. Chito can still take a shot, Cruz, not so much. It’s the circle of life in this game. Chito caught him at the right time in both their careers. Great win! #UFCSanDiego
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 14, 2022
Wooooow
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 14, 2022
Oooooo that kick was nastyyyyy
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) August 14, 2022
Damn happy for chito but damn hate to see that much respect to both guys
— Fabiocherant.eth (@Buffalomma8) August 14, 2022
OUT!!!!🤯 #UFCSanDiego
— Mark O. Madsen (@MarkTheOlympian) August 14, 2022
Yesssssss!!!!!!! #IridiumGang #UFCSAnDiego @chitoveraUFC is nasty!
— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) August 14, 2022
Holy Crap what a head kick Chito @JasonKHouse !!!! @ufc #UFCSanDiego
— Jared Vanderaa (@Jaredvanderaa) August 14, 2022
Cruz winning , fighting the perfect fight and just couldn’t make mistake with chito. Chito can lose the whole fight but find that kill shot at any moment lately. Always dangerous and very hard to hurt
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) August 14, 2022
Lights out!!!! Great win for Chito Vera. #UFCSanDiego
— Tanner Boser (@BulldozerBoser) August 14, 2022
Perfect @chitoveraUFC #UFCSanDiego pic.twitter.com/0ggBDaJUAL
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) August 14, 2022
Waited for the right opportunity and @chitoveraUFC capitalized on it. The Head kick that’s taking him to the top contender spot! #UFCSAnDiego
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) August 14, 2022
Happy for my boy Chito. Love seeing him do good.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) August 14, 2022
Vera entered this bout on a three-fight win streak and with four wins in his previous five bouts, stretching back to him ending Sean O’Malley’s undefeated record. After losing to Jose Aldo, Vera scored unanimous decision wins over Davey Grant and Rob Font, with a highlight-reel knockout of Frankie Edgar sandwiched between.
After falling short in a title shot against Henry Cejudo in 2020, a fight that marked the start of a comeback following over three years of inactivity, Cruz scored decision wins over Casey Kenney and Pedro Munhoz in 2021.
Next. UFC San Diego: Marlon Vera vs. Dominick Cruz live results [UPDATED]. dark