Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is set to take the spotlight in this weekend’s UFC 299 event as he faces Marlon “Chito” Vera in a highly anticipated rematch, marking O’Malley’s inaugural title defense.
Their initial encounter at UFC 252 back in August 2020 saw Vera emerge victorious, dealing O’Malley his sole career defeat. Now, O’Malley seeks redemption and the chance to rectify his previous loss, although former two-division champion Henry Cejudo doubts his ability to do so.
Cejudo, sharing his insights on his YouTube channel, attributes O’Malley’s striking prowess to his exceptional movement and feints, which he utilizes to set traps and outmaneuver opponents.
However, Cejudo questions whether Vera, who has previously triumphed over O’Malley, could exploit opportunities on the ground given his substantial submission success rate.
Highlighting Vera’s aggressive pressing style and adeptness on the ground, Cejudo suggests that O’Malley may face challenges, particularly in defending against leg kicks, a potential vulnerability due to O’Malley’s consistent stance.
Despite acknowledging O’Malley’s early-round danger, Cejudo predicts Vera’s gradual improvement throughout the fight, ultimately leading to a stoppage victory.
Cejudo boldly predicts a change in the titleholder, envisioning Vera claiming victory over O’Malley via stoppage, possibly in the later rounds. With confidence in Vera’s strategy and determination, Cejudo anticipates a decisive outcome in favor of Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299.
