UFC 299: Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Mar 9)

• The Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera UFC Bantamweight Championship will headline UFC 299.
• This is going to be their second duel, almost four years after Chito beat Sugar by TKO.

Sean “Sugar” O’Malley is putting his UFC Bantamweight title on the table in the UFC 299 headliner against his old foe, Marlon “Chito” Vera who beat him by a TKO in 2020. It’s O’Malley’s first and so far, only defeat, but he now has a chance to set things straight.

How to Watch

• When: Saturday, March 9, 2023, at 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
• How to Watch: PPV

Odds

Fight Preview

Sean O’Malley is 17-1-1 overall with 12 of his sins happening by knockout/technical knockout, which is his favorite way to finish fights. It’s no surprise really, considering that he’s one of the best boxers, not only in the 135lb division but in the entire UFC.

We’re not saying this without proof – O’Malley is sixth on the list of active male UFC fighters when it comes to the number of significant strikes landed per minute. Sugar is landing 7.29 strikes every 60 seconds on average, which is almost 3 strikes more than what Chito Vera does (4.37).

In the first O’Malley vs. Vera fight, however, he landed just 10 strikes. Chito hurt him with elbows, which forced the ref to end the fight, awarding the Ecuadorian fighter with a TKO win. 

We’re certain that O’Malley will land more strikes this time, but will it be enough to beat Vera? As a reminder, the 23-8-1 fighter has never suffered a loss inside the distance.

Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera Prediction

These two will go to war at UFC 299, possibly landing 100+ significant strikes each. We don’t think, however, that either one of them will finish the other one. With the championship belt at stake, both are bound to fight ferociously until the very end.

But which fighter will get the judges’ vote after 25 minutes of fighting? We think it’s going to be the reigning champ.

Free Pick:

• Sean O’Malley