BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION

Marlon Vera vs Dominick Cruz Agreed to Headline August UFC Event

A top ranked scrap with potential title implications is set to headline a UFC card on August 13th, when #5 ranked Bantamweight bruiser Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera meets future UFC Hall of Famer Dominick ‘The Dominator’ Cruz.  According to a report by ESPN Deportes both fighters have verbally agreed to the fight, which is likely to be held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Fight Night event is also likely to see Alexa Grasso take on Viviane Araujo in the co-main event slot. Their initial fight at UFC 270 was scrapped after Araujo pulled out due to injury. Cruz, the former Bantamweight King has gone 2-0 in the division after his defeat in 2020 to Henry Cejudo for the strap. One of which saw him earn Fight of the Night honours and before his title reign ended, ‘The Dominator’ saw himself on a 13 fight win streak. ‘Chito’ also sees himself gaining some momentum after racking up 3 impressive victories in the division. Most recently, we saw him put on a clinic against #7 ranked Rob Font. Marlon made Rob’s face look almost unrecognisable as he picked up a 5 round unanimous decision on the judges scorecards. Vera also has notable wins over Frankie Edgar and self proclaimed “undefeated” Sean O’Malley. A win for either fighter could propel them into Title contention, something Cruz is certainly accustom to, whilst Vera is looking to make his first title run. Who do you see having their hand raised?

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BAMMA 23 Post-Fight Interview: Shay Walsh ‘It was a tough fight… he’s a real tough guy’

MMA UK’s Jade Morris talks to the new Bantamweight Champ Shay Walsh after his win at BAMMA 23 against Ed Arthur. Shay Walsh: ‘I’m not backing away from anyone, I’ve fought and beat some of the top guys in Europe and I will keep doing the same anyone that wants it come and get it’ BAMMA 23 Main Card  BAMMA Lightweight Title: Martin Stapleton def. Gavin Sterritt via submission (rear-naked choke) RD 1, 1:18 (Vacant title) BAMMA Light-Heavyweight Title: Paul Craig def. Marcin Lazarz (c) via submission (triangle) at Round 1, 3:51 BAMMA Flyweight Title  Rany Saadeh (c) def. Shaj Haque via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) BAMMA Bantamweight Title Shay Walsh def. Ed Arthur (c) via unanimous decision (30-27, 20-27, 30-27) BAMMA 23 Prelims  Damien Lapilus def Jack McGann via submission (rear-naked choke) RD 1, 3:30 Nad Narimani def. Jeremy Petley via TKO (punches) at RD 1, 2:26 Interim Heavyweight Title Stuart Austin def. Tom Denham via KO (punch) at RD 2, 1:55 Brett McDermott def. Pelu Adetola​ via TKO (strikes) at RD 1, 1:57 Shane Gunfield def Harry Marple via TKO at RD 2, 3:02 Billy Beaumont def. Marcin Prostko via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Tobias Reid def. Craig Clarkson via TKO (punches) at RD 2, 1:43 Cameron Else def. Jay Butler via TKO (strikes) at RD 1, 2:48 Jai Herbert def. Ben Bennett via TKO (body kick) at RD 2, 3:59 Nathaniel Wood def Bryan Creighton via unanimous decision (30-27,30-26, 30-27)

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