Marlon Vera responded to Rob Font’s early assault with an impressive performance down the stretch of UFC Vegas 53 at the UFC Apex.
Despite missing weight, Font (19-6-0) connected early and often in the first two rounds, piling up the points and over 200 significant strikes but most of that was in the first two minutes.
This output is just absurd. #UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/8cUNzEcxQC
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
Vera (21-7-1) responded back with key and power strikes, a lot of which bloodied and bruised Font by the end of the fight.
Couldn't have said it any better @Jon_Anik – what a fight 🤯 #UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/e361mAtj0B
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
The judges scored it 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 for Vera. With his third consecutive win, Vera likely takes Font’s No. 5 spot in the rankings next week. Font has now lost two straight.
Nothing but impressive performances from these guys 🙌
💵 Joanderson Brito and Francisco Figueiredo earn your POTN honors tonight! #UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/7TJoifxkOb
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
The action-packed main event also took Fight of the Night, with JoAnderson Brito and Francisco Figueiredo taking performances of the night. Because of Font’s weight miss, Vera collected $100,000, while Brito and Figueiredo collected $50,000 apiece.
𝑨𝑺 𝑨𝑫𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑻𝑰𝑺𝑬𝑫 🍿👏
No doubt about these two taking FOTN honors tonight!
[ #UFCVegas53 | B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/Cd4OeAQ75y
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
SHANNA YOUNG DEF. GINA MAZANY VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 3:11
NATAN LEVY DEF. MIKE BREEDEN VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
GABRIEL GREEN DEF. YOHAN LAINESSE VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 4:02
FRANCISCO FIGUEIREDO DEF. DANIEL LACENDA VIA SUBMISSION (KNEEBAR) R1 1:18
ALEXANDER ROMANOV DEF. CHASE SHERMAN VIA SUBMISSION (AMERICANA) R1 2:11
MAIN CARD
KRZYSZTOF JOTKO VS. GERALD MEERSCHAERT
A dominant showing for @JotkoMMA to kick off the #UFCVegas53 main card 💪 pic.twitter.com/kPwAb3wbCX
— UFC (@ufc) April 30, 2022
WINNER: KRZYSZTOF JOTKO VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION GERALD MEERSCHAERT VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Jotko kept it standing and won.
DARREN ELKINS VS. TRISTAN CONNELLY
THE DAMAGE DOESN'T STOP 😤@DarrenElkinsMMA put on the pressure to secure the W tonight!
[ #UFCVegas53 is LIVE on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/Fq8KpJC3dB
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
WINNER: DARREN ELKINS VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TRISTAN CONNELLY VIA UD
Andrews: I really thought Tristan was going to shake off the rust. Give credit to Elkin for a great performance.
JARED GORDON VS. GRANT DAWSON
WITH UNDER A MINUTE LEFT @DAWSONGRANT20Y1 GETS IT DONE 💪 #UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/KIdAqMXPwc
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
WINNER: GRANT DAWSON VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R3 4:11
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GRANT DAWSON VIA UD
Andrews: Dawson gets it done in the nick of time.
ANDRE FILI VS. JOANDERSON BRITO
OHHHHH MYYYYYY 😳
Joanderson Brito gets it done LIGHTNING quick! #UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/BJ2JoCZWXm
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
WINNER: JOANDERSON BRITO VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 0:41
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDRE FILI VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! What a performance by Brito. Never seen Fili take out like that.
ANDREI ARLOVSKI VS. JAKE COLLIER
The ageless wonder @AndreiArlovski does it again! 💪 #UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/EoM9kUJiyA
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
WINNER: ANDREI ARLOVSKI VIA SD
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDREI ARLOVSKI VIA UD
Andrews: Arlovski skims by once again.
MAIN EVENT
#5 ROB FONT VS. #8 MARLON VERA
ROB SURVIVES & WE'RE GOING TO THE FOURTH 🤯 #UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/aNAXVL4vv9
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
WINNER: MARLON VERA VIA UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MARLON VERA VIA UD
Andrews: Font was good, but Vera got better as the fight went on.
The next UFC event is UFC 274 which takes place May 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Charles Oliveira defends the lightweight title against Justin Gaethje in the main event.
