The UFC heads to San Diego with a matchup between title contenders at 135. Marlon “Chito” Vera takes on former champion Dominick Cruz in the main event. The rest of the card, on paper, is kind of mediocre.

Here are some specifics. The prelims being at 4pm. The main card is at 7:oo pm . All of it is on ESPN+ and its free

I will give you my predictions in the order the fights are to take place. All odds are courtesy of Bet MGM. The King of Sports Books! For new users head on over there and use the promocode PatEgan and get your first bet RISK FREE up to $1K

143-105 this year. 52-25 on locks.

In 2021 I hit on 60% of picks. In 2021 I hit on 61% of “locks” (so a lot of people had keys to that lock.)

(7-3 last fight card. 4-1 on locks)

PRELIMS

Da’Mon Blackshear (lock)

Jason Witt

Ode Osbourne

Gabriel Benítez

Nina Nunes

Martin Buday

Angela Hill

Ariane Lipski

MAIN CARD

• Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bruno Silva

  This is the typical striker vs. grappler. Yet the striker (Bruno Silva) is also a BJJ black belt who can handle himself on the mat. Gerald Meerschaert has had issues in the past with hard punchers and Silva is certainly that. I think Silva finds his chin and puts Meerschaert to sleep.

  Bruno Silva (lock)

• Devin Clark vs. Azamat Murzakanov

  On paper it doesnt really make much sense to pick Devin Clark. Hes kind of a mediocre fighter and Murzakanov is on a tear as an undfeated fighter entering his third UFC fight after back to back finishes. But the level of competition Devin Clark has lost to is quite high. Yes, its MMA math, but it cant be ignored that part of Devin Clark’s 6 losses include former title challenger Anthony Smith. 4th ranked Aleksandar Rakic. Former champion Jan Blachowicz. But even with the MMA math, even with the expierience, I dont see a path to victory for Clark. I think this fight is one that puts Murzakanov on notice with his next fight viewed as one that will get him in the rankings.

  Azamat Murzakanov

• Yazmin Jauregui vs. Iasmin Lucindo

  How….in the blue hell….is this fight on the main card? Two straweights making their UFC debut. Not going to sit here and act like I was watching the last Combate Global card when Yazmin Jauregui got her 8th win. Also not going to act like I was watching Cage FS when Iasmin Lucindo got her 13th win. I am staying AWAY from this fight but if I have to take it ill side with Vegas and take Yazmin Jauregui as shes a -200 favorite and Vegas is paid to watch those regional cards. I am not.

  Yazmin Jauregui

• David Onama vs. Nate Ladwehr

  Fight of the night alert. These two are going to come out swinging and someone is going to sleep. This one will NOT go the distance. Both of these fighters are at high level gyms so theres not really an advantage either way. Both are pretty well rounded on the feet and on the mat. But Onama’s punching power is an advantage. Combine that with Landwehr’s ability to get hit and take a punch, I think Onama takes this. I really like Landwehr. He is a fighter that has YET to be in a boring fight. But he also hasnt found the same success that he had in K-1. Onama ends this one.

  David Onama

• Chito Vera vs. Dominick Cruz

  Dominick Cruz is a legend in the game. A 2 time champion but hes towards the end. Not to say he isnt still fighting at a high level. But his fights are now few and far between as he seems more inclined to be on the call, then be in the cage. Chito Vera is game ready. Now the last time he tried to take out a legend (Jose Aldo) he was outclassed. But Aldo and Cruz are very different fighters. Cruz’s weird style is tough for fighters to pick up as he does this really weird thing….he tries to avoid getting hit. But Chito has one of the best striking coaches in the game (Jason Parillo) in his corner. And I have faith that Parillo will formulate a successful gameplan.

  But the reason Im picking Chito is because its 5 rounds. If this were a 3 round fight I think Cruz wins because it takes time for an opponent to find the timing on Cruz. 5 rounds is different and certainly enough time for Chito to put it on the former champ. Its the Chito show

  Chito Vera (lock)

• Parlays

  Since BET MGM is the king of parlay’s here is how the parlay odds look!

  if you take every one of my picks and parlay them on BetMGM, wagering $100 you’d win $132,254 (+132154)
  If you just parlay the prelims, using all my picks and wagering $100 you would walk away with $18,732 (+18632)
  Parlay the main card, taking all my picks and wagering $100 you would cash in $706 (+606)
  And if you just want to take my locks and parlay them on BetMGM, wagering $100 you would win $394 (+294)

  Odds subject to change. Good luck!

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