Rodrigo Vera
Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Vera (-120); Zhu (+100)
Round 1
In the first of several matches of debuting fighters at UFC Macau, Zhu (21-4, 1 NC) meets short-notice signee Vera (21-1-1), who steps in for the injured Ramon Taveras, with a 13-fight win streak in tow. The third man in the cage is Lukasz Bosacki. The featherweights touch gloves and meet in the middle of the Octagon with an exchange of low kicks. Both men go upstairs with punches and start exchanging hard shots. Each gets his fair share of licks in, but Zhu nearly takes Vera off his feet with a couple of vicious leg kicks. Vera changes levels for a takedown, driving Zhu into the fence as he transitions from a double-leg to a single. Zhu fights off the takedown and they go back to work as they come careening away from the fence. Again, both men land, but this time it’s Vera who lands the telling blow.
He sits Zhu down with a blistering left hook, then pounces and puts him away with a stream of ground punches. Bosacki gives the native fighter every chance to recover—Zhu may actually have gone out for a second and come back—but he righteously waves off the fight as Vera jumps up to celebrate a life-changing win in front of the shocked crowd.
The Official Result
Rodrigo Vera def. Kangjie Zhu R1 1:50 via TKO (Punches)
Expert Picks (4)
AJ likes Zhu Kangjie's striking arsenal, noting he is snappier with shots and nastier with overhands, with a head kick threat. He feels torn because Vera is coming off The Ultimate Fighter situation but gives Zhu the upside due to his craziness. However, he doesn't love that Zhu's past two wins are split decisions, calling it a coin flip fight. He predicts a close decision win for Zhu.
AJ leans Zhu because Vera is a short-notice replacement with unknown status from TUF, and Zhu has a full camp. Zhu is the more dangerous striker with better hands and get-up game, though he gets taken down frequently. AJ thinks Zhu's damaging striking will outweigh Vera's wrestling control, especially with potential hometown judging bias.
Connor picks Zhu Kangjie, referencing a coin flip that came up tails for Zhu. He notes Vera is a bad takedown artist with slow mechanics, while Zhu is the athlete. Connor is not confident.
Zane picks Zhu Kangjie mostly because he is the athlete, though he does not know how to fight. Rodrigo Vera is incredibly slow with poor wrestling mechanics. Zane calls it a coin flip and notes the odds are even.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!