The Russian is undefeated at 11-0, but he’s also 35 and was dealt a two-year suspension for violating anti-doping policy in 2019. In his UFC debut, he stood, threw and almost got iced. He’s primarily a striker who has shown little if any Russian sambo base, but it must be there. Murzakarov faces a stiff test in this, his sophomore fight in the UFC. Total in this fight: 4.5 rounds Over -200 after opening -175 Azamat Murzakanov (-160) vs. Now add a couple of major knee surgeries and other injuries and it’s no wonder Cruz is a firm underdog in this five-round affair.

He’ll need to use every ounce of experience and every trick in his bag to keep Vera off rhythm and hesitant to engage.Ī 37-year-old heavyweight or light heavyweight can manage, but movement and cardio are vital in the lighter weight classes. Vera can’t allow Cruz room to maneuver and dance.Ĭruz is a true warrior as he steps into the octagon knowing Vera has the chance to ring his bell. Vera must back Cruz up, press him into the cage, then tee off with knees, elbows, strikes and kicks. Vera’s striking is effective through volume and diversity of attack as opposed to one-punch power.Ĭruz’s legwork and cardio will be greatly tested by a forward-pressing Vera throwing elbows and leg kicks.

He usually starts slowly until he finds the rhythm. Vera’s a black belt in BJJ and his application of the art increases as he measures the timing of opponents early in bouts. Take away an absolutely horrid decision loss to Song Yadong in 2020 and Vera would be 10-1 in his last 11 bouts with victories over fighters including Sean O’Malley, Rob Font, Frankie Edgar and Davey Grant. The fifth-ranked Vera is 13-5 in UFC, owns the record for most finishes in the history of the bantamweight division and, yes, has never been finished. It’s fair to question his readiness to compete against Father Time as well as a motivated Ecuadorian eight years younger than him with reach advantages. Cruz has competed only twice since March of 2021. He employs evasive defensive tactics and has complete control over space. A win here would keep him relevant in the division, while a loss would dash his hopes for another title shot.Ĭruz’s game is intelligence-based, movement-founded and executed from beguiling angles. He sports a solid wrestling base to go with his blue belt in BJJ, but his best qualities are his athleticism, legwork, discipline and fight IQ.Īfter earning the title, Cruz, 37, incurred injury upon injury, essentially robbing him of his prime.

The eighth-ranked Cruz is 9-2 in the UFC and is regarded by most as an elite talent since he arrived as the bantamweight division’s inaugural champion in 2010. That’s a pretty steep chalk hill to conquer, but selective handicapping of underdogs who are prepared to perform their best on fight night can be uncovered … and that’s what I’m here to do.Ģ022 profitability: 19-11 + 7.32 units based on Mayra Bueno Silva’s + 120 first-round submission of Stephanie Egger last week. The 12-fight card gets a boost with two bouts originally scheduled for last week moved here.įavorites continue to dominate as they went 6-2 (TUFF fights not included) last week and pushed the win percentage for the year to 66% based on a 186-90-6 record. UFC Fight Night San Diego on Saturday gets an early start with preliminaries beginning at 1 p.m.

Dominick cruz