On March 25, 2023, UFC San Antonio played host to an intense showdown at the AT&T Center in Texas, but ex-Flyweight and Bantamweight kingpin Henry Cejudo wasn’t exactly wowed by Marlon “Chito” Vera’s efforts. Despite the top-tier skill on display, Cejudo took issue with Vera’s subpar takedown defense as Cory Sandhagen managed to land three of his dozen attempts, ultimately controlling the fight for seven minutes.
Henry Cejudo Slams Marlon Vera’s Performance at UFC San Antonio
“Hey [Marlon Vera], your takedown defense is almost as bad as that pu—y on the back of your head,” Cejudo wrote on Twitter post fight. “Get to the back of the line.”
Hey @chitoveraUFC your takedown defense is almost as bad as that pussy on the back of your head. Get to the back of the line 🏆🏆🏆#UFCSanAntonio
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) March 26, 2023
The dissatisfaction stems from the fact that Vera’s third-ranked Bantamweight position may be in jeopardy after his split decision loss to Sandhagen in the five-round headliner – a battle captured in the event’s highlight reel. The fifth round saw Vera mounting an offensive, but even a solid hook from Sandhagen mid-charge failed to shift the momentum. Though arguably Vera’s finest round, it wasn’t enough to secure a comeback as he trailed on the scorecards.
Nevertheless, Sandhagen emerged victorious by split decision, a result rendered by Texas judges who have garnered a reputation for, shall we say, less-than-stellar decision-making. While Vera’s Bantamweight status won’t take a massive hit, Cejudo implies that he’ll need to claw his way back to title contention.
Vintage @CorySandhagen on display! #UFCSanAntonio pic.twitter.com/iD058fKe6j
— UFC (@ufc) March 26, 2023
As for Cejudo, he’s staging an Octagon comeback after three years to face off against Aljamain Sterling for the Bantamweight belt at UFC 288 on May 6, 2023. Sandhagen, fresh off his win over Vera and snapping the latter’s four-fight winning streak, is reveling in his second consecutive victory since his own unsuccessful title bid at 135 pounds.
