UFC Fight Night Vera vs. Sandhagen: Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions (2023)

by Trent Conner |
Mar 24, 2023

The UFC will be at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, this week, and Marlon "Chito" Vera will take on Cory Sandhagen in a top-five bantamweight matchup. For the co-main event, Holly Holm and Yana Santos will throw down.

The prelims and the main card will be on ESPN and ESPN+, so there is a chance for some of the lesser-known fighters to make a name for themselves. The prelims start at 4 p.m. EDT, and the main card begins at 7 p.m. EDT.

Follow my Twitter here for more picks and predictions on the day of the fights.

2023 total: Down eight units

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Saturday:

UFC Fight Night Vera vs. Sandhagen: Parlay Picks

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Leg 1: Chidi Njokuani money line (-150)

Opening the main card are Chidi "Bang Bang" Njokuani and Albert Duraev in the middleweight division. Both hailing from Dana White's Contender Series, they have each suffered ups and downs thus far in the UFC. Njokuani is 2-1 in the UFC and 22-8-1 overall, which includes a stint in Bellator. Duraev is 15-4 overall and has split his two UFC fights. Both men are 34 years old, and Njokuani will have a five-inch advantage in reach. In their last fights, both lost by knockout, but Njokuani fared better by opening a brutal cut on Gregory Rodrigues but lost when Rodrigues outlasted him.

Duraev averages 2.11 takedowns landed per 15 minutes, but only with 21% accuracy. Njokuani has been taken down in his career. but can get back to his feet sufficiently to keep the fight where he wants it. He has defended 75% of takedowns but does not use offensive wrestling due to his striking ability. He lands 4.28 significant strikes per minute and absorbs 2.47 strikes per minute. Duraev lands 2.91 strikes and absorbs 2.46 strikes per minute. Njokuani's reach and striking advantage will be his path to victory if he can keep it standing.

Leg 2: Nate Landwehr vs. Austin Lingo Over 1.5 rounds (-190)

In the featherweight division, Nate Landwehr will put his No. 15 ranking on the line against Austin Lingo. Landwehr has five fights in the UFC and has seen the third round in all three of his wins. He is a -200 favorite over Lingo, who offers a solid stylistic matchup for Landwehr. Lingo is 2-1 since entering the UFC and has gone to the distance in all the fights. Lingo was taken down six times in his debut against Youssef Zalal and lost via unanimous decision. Landwehr lands an average of 1.30 takedowns per 15 minutes with 66% accuracy. He also has good striking and lands 6.37 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 5.56 strikes. The fight could be closer than the odds indicate and turn into a back-and-forth affair that comes down to the judge's scorecards.

Leg 3: Holly Holm money line (-245)

Holly Holm will enter the octagon for the co-main event to fight Yana Santos in the women's bantamweight division. Both women are coming off a loss; Santos suffered a knockout loss to Irene Aldana, and Holm lost a split decision to Ketlen Vieira. Holm dominated Irene Aldana in a 2020 main event and should have the wrestling chops to keep this fight upright. Holm is a talented striker, despite losing some speed at 41. Yana Santos, formerly Yana Kunitskaya, is 33 years old and has not fought since 2021 after taking maternity leave.

Holm averages 3.24 significant strikes landed per minute and absorbs 2.86 strikes. She will have the advantage in striking and should be able to avoid being taken down. She has defended 78% of takedowns in her career, which is impressive since she came from boxing. She is a solid MMA grappler and can use it offensively, as shown in the Aldana fight. Santos lands 4.28 significant strikes per minute and absorbs 2.94 strikes but will have difficulty mixing in her takedowns. Holm's southpaw stance may also give her trouble. Holm should control the distance and the action in this fight, which provides a great chance of winning, with Santos coming off a long layoff.

Parlay: +258

DraftKings is the best place to play this parlay, and betting one unit or less is the best way to attack it. The PPV main event starts at 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN+.

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