Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera - 8/15/20 UFC 252 Pick and Prediction

O’Malley comes into this fight averaging 6.86 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.75 significant strikes per minute. O’Malley also averages 1.18 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 50 percent of his attempts. O’Malley also averages 1.2 submission attempts every 15 minutes. 

On the other side of this matchup is Marlon “Chito” Vera who comes into this fight with a 15-6-1 record and he had won five fights in a row heading into his last fight. Vera fought against Song Yadong and even though he had two takedowns in that fight, he was outstruck and had issues controlling the fight which led to a unanimous decision loss. Vera’s last win came against Andre Ewell and in the third round of that fight he won with his elbows. 

Vera is averaging 3.70 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 4.11 significant strikes per minute. Vera usually likes to keep the fight on the feet averaging 0.88 successful takedowns every 15 minutes. Vera also averages 1.3 submission attempts every 15 minutes.

Vera is going to have problems with O’Malley and this one shouldn’t take all that long to finish. Look for O’Malley to come out swinging early and it’s going to be quite the show. Back O’Malley to win this game by finish. If you are comfortable laying the big price on the money line for O’Malley you can, but our play will be for him to finish by decision.