UFC Fight Night: Vera vs. Cruz – Preview and Betting Odds

Last Updated on August 11, 2022 8:41 pm by Erwin Noguera

2ca5a019-467e-885e-6577-c302aa09c5bf.png - Gambyl Sports Betting Exchange — UFC Fight Night Vera vs Cruz Preview and Pick Predictions

On Saturday, August 13th, the UFC makes a quick stop in the Pachanga Arena, in San Diego California, to showcase a lot of Latin American talent in this fight card, spear-headed by an exciting bantamweight bout.

With 6 fights on the main card and 7 on the prelims, San Diego is going to blow up in excitement as the fighters listed on the card are known for putting it all on the Octagon whenever they show up.

With 13 fights in this one event, we have a lot to cover, so let’s not waste any time and just jump in to get you ready for the weekend.

You can check all the UFC/MMA bets, the analysis of each fighter, and the final bet you can make in this fight.

UFC Fight Night – Vera vs. Cruz – Betting Odds and Free Picks – Info

When: Saturday, July 13th, at 4:30 pm ET

Moneyline odds:

Marlon Vera -225 / Dominick Cruz +180

David Onama -265 / Nate Landwehr +200

Gerald Meerschaert -225 / Bruno Silva -295

Devin Clark +132 / Azamat Murzakanov -165

Nina Nunes +138 / Cynthia Calvillo -175

Yazmin Jauregui -205 / Iasmin Lucindo +163

Łukasz Brzeski +205 / Martin Buday -265

Gabriel Benítez -350 / Charlie +290

Ode Osbourne -230 / Tyson Nam +195

Angela Hill +265 / Lupita Godinez -345

Youssef Zalal -127 / Da’Mon Blackshear +102

Jason Witt +225 / Josh Quinlan -265

Ariane Lipski -185 / Priscila Cachoeira +160

Draw Offs: –

Where Can I Watch? ESPN +

Where Can I Stream? ESPN Go

UFC Fight Night: Marlon Vera vs. Dominick Cruz

Why Bet on Marlon Vera

Vera is at a career-high point and his win over Rob Font in April proved he is not only an exciting fighter but an elite-level competitor.

Vera (19-7-1) is an eight-year UFC veteran whose resume includes several quality wins but who is still just 29 years old.

Why Bet on Dominick Cruz

Cruz (24-3) is a popular and proven veteran who also has found success as a UFC analyst, a pursuit he discovered while shelved from fighting because of numerous lingering injuries.

The 36-year-old San Diego native believes he has one more title run left in him, and an impressive win Saturday could provide that opportunity.

Marlon Vera vs. Dominick Cruz Final Betting Analysis:

Cruz vs. Vera is a fight that diehard fans can’t wait to see. What makes the matchup so interesting is it is a clash of styles that certainly should lead to a cage-fighting version of the bull and the matador.

Cruz’s elusiveness and technique will be seriously tested at 36 by an opponent that is ultra-aggressive, violent, and can take it just as well as he can deal it out.

Nine years ago, “Chito’s” style would have been tailor-made for Cruz.

But father time may have tipped the scales where he is now a tailor-made opponent for Vera.

UFC Fight Night: David Onama vs. Nate Landwehr

Why Bet on David Onama

Onama has bounced back strongly after a competitive loss in his promotional debut to Mason Jones in 2021, scoring two finishes.

Going into this fight, the Ugandan comes across as an aggressive striker that does a lot of damage and punishes his opponents standing and on the ground.

There is a lot of excitement behind Onama and his finishing skills, and he has an opponent in front of him that may bring out his best qualities.

Why Bet on Nate Landwehr

Landwehr is known as “The Train,” and he hits as hard as his nickname suggests.

Tough as a two-dollar steak and just as technically refined, Landwehr is a guaranteed show-stealer thanks to his tendency to get rough and absorb punishment.

In his last fight, Landwehr earned an impressive win over L’udovit Klien with a third-round anaconda choke last October.

David Onama vs. Nate Landwehr Final Betting Analysis:

These two fighters swing for the fences and have glaring defensive deficiencies.

They both throw a lot, get hit a lot, and finish their opponents usually within two rounds, and they both have clear paths to victory against the other.

Onama might have the power advantage up top, but Landwehr can just as easily end the fight by exposing his vulnerabilities when getting taken down.

Unless Landwehr gets Onama to the ground, he’s going to get tagged and rattled.

Onama is our pick to pull off a win in what could be the fight of the night.

UFC Fight Night: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bruno Silva

Why Bet on Gerald Meerschaert

Meerschaert is an outstanding grappler and likely the best at middleweight right now.

If he can get a fight to the ground he can submit anyone.

However, every fight starts standing and “GM3” has not been impervious to power during his career.

Why Bet on Bruno Silva

Silva is a serious heavy hitter and this seems like a perfect matchup for “Blindado.”

His power is enough to put down his opponent if he manages to catch him at any point, and his ability to keep the fight on his feet is what will dictate the results.

Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bruno Silva Final Betting Analysis:

Silva has a ton of power and is a great striker, as he lands 4.94 significant strikes per minute (while Meerschaert absorbs 3.53).

Although we have seen Meerschaert pull off incredible comeback wins before, Silva has a decent ground game and has a 68 percent takedown defense, so expect him to keep it standing and either get a TKO win or get a clear-cut decision.

UFC Fight Night: Devin Clark vs. Azamat Murzakanov

Why Bet on Devin Clark

Devin Clark is moving down from heavyweight after a brief stop resulted in a win against William Knight last April.

The TKO win snapped a two-fight losing streak, though he’s gone 3-3 since 2019.

A grappler worthy of the moniker “Brown Bear,” Clark has come up short against the division’s best fighters but has been perpetually on the cusp of a breakthrough before he takes a loss.

Why Bet on Azamat Murzakanov

Azamat Murzakanov snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a debilitating flying knee knockout of Tafon Nchukwi last March.

The incredible shot preserved the Russian’s undefeated record, but he’ll need to be on his game against the more experienced Clark.

Boasting tremendous striking power and the ability to make on-the-fly adjustments, the 33-year-old can explode forward with quick hands and bad intentions.

Devin Clark vs. Azamat Murzakanov Final Betting Analysis:

The big question here is how ready Murzakanov is against a solid, proven gatekeeper.

While Clark has the credentials to be a tough out on paper, he’s been finished in all but one of his six losses and will be put on the defensive due to Muzakanov’s pressure.

All things considered, both of these fighters will avoid being taken down as calamity will be sure to follow.

Call it an awkward style match or lingering jitters, but we don’t see Murzakanov having the same struggles against a less dynamic opponent.

It’s no oversight that Clark is seen as a gatekeeper of sorts: He doesn’t have the chin or viable ground defense when things go south for him.

UFC Fight Night: Nina Nunes vs. Cynthia Calvillo

Why Bet on Nina Nunes

Nunes has only fought twice over the last three years.

Add to the fact that those were both losses and that Nina Nunes is 36 years old.

Age and activity do not stand in her favor but her wife and sparring partner could have taken the time to help her improve.

Why Bet on Cynthia Calvillo

After a 6-1-1 start to her UFC career and talk about being a future flyweight title challenger, Calvillo’s career has tail spun to a low point.

She has lost three straight with the last two being destructive knockouts.

She needs a win badly or her stay in the UFC could be at an end.

Desperate fighters can be dangerous fighters.

Nina Nunes vs. Cynthia Calvillo Final Betting Analysis:

it seems that the Mexican-American will be getting a major step down in competition from the likes of previous foes like Jessica Andrade and Katlyn Chookagian.

Expect Calvillo to make her way to a unanimous decision victory throughout the match.

UFC Fight Night: Yazmin Jauregui vs. Iasmin Lucindo

Why Bet on Yazmin Jauregui

Yazmin’s UFC Debut is highly anticipated, as the Mexican is considered by many to be one of the best pound-4-pound Latin American fighters.

She will test her undefeated record and has finished 4 out of 8 opponents via knock-out, usually being the first-round finisher with relentless pace.

Why Bet on Iasmin Lucindo

The 20-year-old Brazilian will be one of the youngest female fighters to participate in the UFC, but she has a highly decorated career up to this point.

Lucindo is on a 7 fight win streak, with two of her last 3 being KOs.

Yazmin Jauregui vs. Iasmin Lucindo Final Betting Analysis:

Both fighters come ready to make their UFC debut, but it is Yasmin’s quick pacing and strength that should allow her to batter the Brazilian fighter early and set her own pace to get the victory.

Expect two hungry fighters going in and do not blink, as this one is likely to finish in the first.

UFC Fight Night: Łukasz Brzeski vs. Martin Buday

Why Bet on Łukasz Brzeski

Lukasz Brzeski (8-1-1) entered the Contender Series on the heels of a two-year layoff and a six-fight unbeaten streak, which featured a decision over UFC veteran Ednaldo Oliveira.

He wound up overpowering Dylan Potter to secure a UFC contract, only to see that victory overturned because of a failed drug test.

Why Bet on Martin Buday

Heading into the Contender Series, Martin Buday (10-1) had won seven straight since a 2017 loss to future The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner, Juan Espino, and he kept the momentum going by stopping Lorenzo Hood with knees.

His UFC debut was a little shakier, as he was forced to settle for a technical decision against Chris Barnett after landing an illegal strike.

Łukasz Brzeski vs. Martin Buday Final Betting Analysis:

Outside of the ranked Heavyweights, this is among the worst matchups Brzeski could have gotten for his UFC debut.

The Bull’s style revolves around punching his way inside and mauling opponents from the clinch and top position, but Buday excels on the inside and will likely be at least 30 pounds bigger than Brzeski on fight night.

He’s not a man Brzeski can bully, and Brzeski’s limited cardio means things will only get worse for him as the fight progresses.

Brzeski just lacks the gas tank or technical acumen to overcome the strength difference.

While he could do some early work with his flurries, expect Buday to slowly grind the life out of him for a late finish.

UFC Fight Night: Gabriel Benítez vs. Charlie Ontiveros

Why Bet on Gabriel Benítez

Gabriel Benitez (22-11) — who began his UFC career 5-2 — now finds himself with just one win in his last five fights. “Moggly” was last seen suffering a wild comeback knockout loss to David Onama in his first bout since a ground-and-pound stoppage loss to Billy Quarantillo in July 2021.

Why Bet on Charlie Ontiveros

Charlie Ontiveros’ (11-8) UFC debut saw him move up to Middleweight to challenge Kevin Holland on short notice, resulting in a slam knockout loss midway through the first round.

He dropped down to 155 for his sophomore effort, in which he dropped Steve Garcia twice, but ultimately succumbed to ground-and-pound.

Gabriel Benítez vs. Charlie Ontiveros Final Betting Analysis:

Ontiveros’ power and penchant for bizarre strikes look like a real tripping hazard for a fighter who has been, with all due respect, something of a choke artist of late.

It would be far from shocking to see Benitez once again run headlong into something nasty for yet another stoppage loss.

Still, the rest of Ontiveros’ game is so underdeveloped that it’s hard to pick him against anyone but the absolute dregs of the division.

Benitez is still plenty skilled if nothing else, and odds are Ontiveros’ kill-or-be-kill style gets him knocked out or choked out in the first few minutes.

UFC Fight Night: Ode Osbourne vs. Tyson Nam

Why Bet on Ode Osbourne vs. Tyson Nam

Ode Osbourne (11-4) went from scoring a first-round armbar on Contender Series to suffering a first-round submission in his UFC debut by his opposite Brian Kelleher.

“The Jamaican Sensation” has gone on to win three of four, including a bonus-winning, 61-second knockout of Zarrukh Adashev in June 2022.

Why Bet on Tyson Nam

The Octagon run for Tyson Nam (20-12-1) began with consecutive losses to Sergio Pettis and Kai Kara-France, only to segue into a pair of vicious knockouts over Zarrukh Adashev and Jerome Rivera.

This set up a clash with fellow contender Matt Schnell, who out-worked Nam to a split decision victory.

Ode Osbourne vs. Tyson Nam Final Betting Analysis:

We’re 16 years into Nam’s professional career and he’s as binary as ever. Indeed, either he scores a knockout or he lets opponents out-work him to decision wins.

He’s made just two successful trips to the judges in the last decade and still refuses to increase his volume.

That’s more than a slight problem against the rangy, elusive Osbourne, who’s both far younger than Nam and boasts a five-inch reach advantage.

All signs point to Osbourne staying mobile and picking his shots to cruise to victory.

UFC Fight Night: Angela Hill vs. Lupita Godinez

Why Bet on Angela Hill

After a 3-5 skid, Angela Hill (13-12) battled her way into contention with three consecutive victories, two of them via stoppage. She now sits at 1-5 in her last six, though three of those defeats came by split decision.

Why Bet on Lupita Godinez

Former Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) champion, Lupita Godinez (8-2), got off to a slow UFC start, sandwiching an armbar finish of Silvana Gomez Juarez between decision losses to Jessica Penne and Luana Carolina.

She’s since battled her way into contention with dominant victories over Loma Lookboonmee and Ariane Carnelossi.

Angela Hill vs. Lupita Godinez Final Betting Analysis:

Even acknowledging that Godinez isn’t immediately a contender for crushing Carnelossi’s historically poor ground game, she’s a sufficiently powerful wrestler to neutralize Hill the way Virna Jandiroba did in “Overkill’s” most recent effort.

While “Loopy” is prone to some bizarre decision-making in the cage, her bread and butter look potent enough to earn her the win regardless.

In the end, she smothers Hill for 30-27s across the board.

UFC Fight Night: Youssef Zalal vs. Da’Mon Blackshear

Why Bet on Youssef Zalal

After a highlight-reel flying knee finish under the LFA banner, Youssef Zalal (10-5) burst onto UFC’s scene with three victories in six months. The momentum wasn’t to last, and he’ll look to end a three-fight losing streak come Saturday.

Why Bet on Da’Mon Blackshear

After previously failing to claim regional gold against Pat Sabatini and Danny Sabatello, Da’Mon Blackshear (12-4) claimed the CFFC Bantamweight title with an upset submission finish of unbeaten DeAndre Jordan. Six months later, he successfully defended his new hardware by choking out Josh Smith.

Youssef Zalal vs. Da’Mon Blackshear Final Betting Analysis:

With the benefit of hindsight, it becomes clear that Zalal’s early success came in large part because of limited opposition.

Even if he’s nowhere near what we thought he was, though, this is very winnable.

Blackshear has struggled badly with persistent takedown artists in the past and is middling on the feet, giving Zalal various avenues to victory.

If the drop in weight doesn’t fry Zalal, he returns to the win column with a grinding performance.

UFC Fight Night: Jason Witt vs. Josh Quinlan

Why Bet on Jason Witt

Jason Witt (19-8) scored the biggest win of his career with a “Fight of the Night”-winning a decision over Bryan Barberena that upped the former’s UFC record to 2-2.

Unfortunately, “The Vanilla Gorilla” got knocked right back under .500 soon after, falling to a lengthy barrage of punches from Philip Rowe in Feb. 2022.

Why Bet on Josh Quinlan

Wand Fight Team’s Josh Quinlan (5-0) put together a perfect amateur record (6-0) to earn a spot in the Contender Series. There, he demolished Logan Urban in 47 seconds, only to see the win overturned because of a failed drug test.

He’s yet to see the judges as a professional, scoring three knockouts and two submissions.

Jason Witt vs. Josh Quinlan Final Betting Analysis:

We all know what to expect from Witt by now — he’s a genuinely solid wrestler and top control artist who disintegrates if you so much as breathe on him too hard.

Quinlan’s power is more than sufficient to turn out Witt’s lights, and he’s got the Muay Thai prowess to deliver it accurately.

Any prolonged exchange on the feet will end with Witt unconscious.

Between Quinlan’s movement, cardio, and ability to get off of his back, he’ll have plenty of time to work his striking and stop Witt in his tracks.

UFC Fight Night: Ariane Lipski vs. Priscilia Cachoeira

Why Bet on Ariane Lipski

Ariane Lipski (14-7) brought the KSW Flyweight title into the Octagon, only to drop four of her first six in the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion.

She got back on track in Sept. 2021, dropping newcomer Mandy Bohm twice en route to a decision victory.

Why Bet on Priscila Cachoeira

Priscila Cachoeira (11-4) stumbled her way to a winless (0-3) UFC start, most notably suffering a brutal stoppage loss to Valentina Shevchenko in her promotional debut.

Undaunted, she went on to win three of her next four, though her recent decision over Ji Yeon Kim is considered one of the year’s bigger robberies.

Ariane Lipski vs. Priscilia Cachoeira Final Betting Analysis:

If both women enter the Octagon at their best, Lipski will demolish Cachoeira.

That’s because Cachoeira’s usual approach of absorbing triple-digit significant strikes is a death sentence against a puncher as fast and powerful as the “Queen of Violence,” who’s got the gas tank to avoid a rope-a-dope comeback.

Plus, she can always make it easier on herself by just taking down Cachoeira if things get hairy.