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UFC on ESPN 43: Vera vs. Sandhagen Top Prop Bets Picks (2023)

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Two of the UFC’s deadliest bantamweight competitors  Marlon “Chito” Vera and the unyielding Cory “Sandman” Sandhagen, will square off on March 25th in a pivotal matchup that could determine the next bantamweight title contender. With the night of fights hosted at the AT&T Center in the UFC Apex, this is another quality UFC Fight Night card back in front of fans and free on ESPN.

Before the main event gets underway, let’s take a closer look at a couple of prop bets I’m dialed in on for Saturday night in my top UFC predictions.

UFC on ESPN 43: Top Prop Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Manuel Torres (13-2-0) vs. Trey Ogden (16-5-0)

It’s unlikely that this fight reaches the distance, and it was the first on the card that caught my attention right away Only one of Torres’ 15 professional fights has progressed past the opening frame because “El Loco” likes to come out firing with zero hesitation; for better or worse. He enters this fight having won four straight fights, including statement victories in both the DWCS and his debut UFC bout in May 2022, demonstrating the relative success of that plan thus far.

Don’t be misled by Trey Ogoden’s recent two decision victories; his four prior fights all ended in the first two minutes. If he can survive the first-round storm, I believe Ogden, who is 1-1 in the UFC and one split decision away from having a five-fight winning run, has the upper hand in this contest.

In my opinion, there are only two possible outcomes here: either Torres wins in the first round once more, or Ogden outlasts him and chokes him in the second or third rounds.

Bet: Total Rounds – Under 2.5 (-180)

Steven Patterson (19-10-0) vs. Lucas Alexander (7-3-0)

Steven Peterson fell to Julian Erosa by split decision in one of the best fights of 2022, snapping a two-fight winning streak. Since Patterson hasn’t put together a run of victories since entering the promotion, I believe he is being undervalued here, especially with his 3-4 stint with the UFC.

Nonetheless, he should be able to get this one done against Alexander, who lost to Joanderson Brito in the first round of their UFC matchup in October. Brito is not a man who ought to have controlled him as he did, despite the fact that he did accept the match on short notice.

Alexander’s relative inexperience at this level-just 10 career fights, including one in the UFC-is something I believe is also hurting him here. When I factor in Peterson’s fighting in front of his friends and family back in Texas, I think he gets this one done with a bang.

Bet: Steven Patterson – Inside the Distance (-105)

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Johnny is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his free UFC picks newsletter and follow him @JohnnyCovers.

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