Vera vs Grant Analysis and Prediction

Marlon Vera (18-7-1) vs Davey Grant (11-4)

Bantamweight (135)

Marlon Vera

Congratulations UFC. After seeing his stock rise massively after his (somewhat) shock win over Sean O’Malley, match-makers pitted Vera against the vastly experienced Jose Aldo. Out-classed on the feet, Vera at least proved his grit once again as he swallowed huge bodywork before finding occasional pockets of success.

Despite his size, fast start, and relentless pace, Vera struggles when pitted against physical specimens. Even Yadong Song’s less than polished skillset was able to overcome Vera based on size and raw physicality in exchanges on the feet and mat. This is an issue for a fighter who excels when bullying opponents in the clinch with brutal knees and elbows.

Vera’s chopping low kicks, as evidenced against O’Malley, will be hugely important against Grant. The Brit has recently transitioned into a striker-first fighter, and the key to his success has been his flowing movement. By destroying Grant’s front leg, Vera can root his opponent in place for rangey head kicks or more easily pressure Grant back to the cage. Vera’s leaky striking defence leaves him open to eating Grant’s newfound power, but the Ecuadorian is ridiculously durable.

Davey Grant

Big Davey Grant has been a UFC name since 2013. Having almost reached a decade in the UFC, it’s nice to see Grant finally put the pieces together over the past few fights. A multitude of injuries and fight cancellations certainly didn’t help grease the wheels of Grant’s career.

Largely a ground specialist in his debut, Grant’s recent success has arisen largely due to more confident striking. Throwing every imaginable strike during the early exchanges, Grant searches to find a strike that lands before solely throwing that same successful strike ten more times. While better counter-punchers will read Grant, Vera doesn’t pose such a threat. Still, it’s a lovely addition to Grant’s game that can fall upon the ground game if it goes awry.

The major issue for Grant against Vera will be an inability to fight cleanly on the outside. Having been offered the space and time to stick and move in his last fights against Martin Day and Jonathan Martinez, Vera is a hugely oppressive pressure fighter who aims to batter opponents against the cage. While Grant’s power may be enough to keep Vera somewhat wary of blinding pressing on the feet, it would have to take a very special shot to switch Vera’s lights out.

Predicted Result: Vera TKO Round 3

Big Davey Grant is one of the surprise packages of the pandemic period, having transitioned into a striker-first fighter with knockout power. Throwing every imaginable strike during the early exchanges, Grant searches to find a strike that lands before solely throwing that same successful strike ten more times. While better counter-punchers will read Grant, Vera doesn’t pose such a threat. Instead, Vera’s chopping low kicks, as evidenced against O’Malley, will be hugely important against Grant.

By destroying Grant’s front leg, Vera can root his opponent in place for rangey head kicks or more easily pressure Grant back to the cage. Vera’s durability, kicking game and powerful clinch work, combined with Grant’s recent focus on the stand-up, points toward the relentless Ecuadorian breaking down the Brit.

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