UFC Fight Night: Vera vs Cruz

Fight fans, what’s popping?

We're back to get our weekly dose of violence this weekend from the Apex.

Last weekend's event was insane, 10/10 finishes with one better than the other.

We went well with our best bets cashing in two big tickets for you guys and just missing out on that parlay.

This week we've got some great scraps lined up led by a crazy main event between top bantamweights.

We'll be breaking down our main event and hopefully cashing that parlay for you guys this week. So, let's get straight in.

Marlon Vera vs Dominick Cruz

The UFC Bantamweight division has shaped up as one of the most stacked and entertaining weight classes in the past couple of years.

This week we'll be treated to five rounds between the hungry contender emerging from Ecuador, Marlon "Chito" Vera who will take on the consensus greatest bantamweight of all time, Dominick Cruz.

Chito has always been a top talent, but he has risen to the occasion lately riding a 3-fight win streak entering his second headliner in a row.

He has all the tools required to be a world champion which involves high-level striking, knockout power, elite submission skills, and an iron chin.

Chito has gathered great hype since he knocked out then-undefeated Sean O'Malley and he has never looked back.

He has beaten some high-level competition in Rob Font and Frankie Edgar too which got him the number five next to his name and the opportunity to earn a title shot against a former champion.

This week he will have to go through adversity as he takes on tough test in the tricky puzzle that is Dominick Cruz.

Cruz is regarded as one of the best to ever do it at the back of his incredible WEC and UFC 12 fight unbeaten run.

The Dominator has faced and beaten elite competition in Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw, and Urijah Faber.

Cruz has been unfortunate with injuries throughout his career, but he has always proved why he is one of the greatest of all time whenever he steps back in the Octagon.

This fight provides a great clash of styles as the explosiveness of Vera will be tested against slick movement of Cruz.

Best Bets

We just cannot miss those chalky parlays, so why fix what's not broken, right?

Our first bet this week is a chalky parlay combining two favorable outcomes.

For our first parlay leg, we are backing Angela Hill vs Lupita Godinez to go the distance.

Angela Hill has been to the distance in her last seven fights and Lupita Godinez has been to the distance in 80% of her career fights. We just don't see a finish here at all.

For our second leg, we are backing top Brazilian prospect, Bruno Silva to get past Gerald Meerschaert.

Bruno has been on a great run in the UFC knocking out top prospects like Wellington Turman and Jordan Wright.

Gerald has a weak chin, and he has been a hit or miss lately, so we think Bruno Silva will get his hand raised with ease.

Our second and final pick this weekend comes on our bantamweight main event between Marlon Vera and Dominick Cruz.

Vera is the younger and more explosive fighter here but given the ease with which Frankie Edgar was able to take him down and how Font was able to give him some issues with the volume of strikes.

Cruz has good cardio, more experience, the wrestling, and footwork to outpoint Vera here.

We think if Cruz can avoid some of the head kicks and power shots, his chances skyrocket here.

Ultimately, Cruz is 17-0 in non-title fights which is a huge stat. We think Vera is very tough and Cruz to win on the scorecards at near 4/1 is the value here.

Selection: Yes, (Angela Hill vs Lupita Godinez) + Bruno Silva (Will the fight go the distance, Win market) @1.72

Selection: Dominick Cruz by Decision (Win method) @3.60

Selection: Parlay all Selections @6.18