MMA Preview – Song Yadong vs Marlon Vera at UFC on ESPN 8
THE FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 8? Sunday 17th May, 2020 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 8? VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida
What channel is UFC on ESPN 8? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 8? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ which can you sign up to here!
Are tickets still available for UFC on ESPN 8? https://www.ufc.com/tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
Two of the most exciting bantamweight talents try their hand up at featherweight for UFC on ESPN 8 as Song Yadong kicks off the main card with Marlon Vera.
Yadong is one of the most exciting prospects in the bantamweight division right now. Under the wing of Urijah Faber, he blazed onto the scene by winning his first four UFC fights with three finishes. After his biggest win and knockout over Alejandro Perez, he stumbled for the first time in eight bouts fighting to a draw with Cody Stamann where he was deducted a point for an illegal knee.
Vera is not a prospect anymore, but he is showing all the signs of competing for a title one day. He has won his last five, finishing all of them (three knockouts and two submissions) and is coming off a TKO win and ‘performance of the night’ against Andre Ewell.
THE PREDICTION
This is a close fight to call as they have looked so good of late with few holes in their game. Yadong may have slightly more power in his hands and Vera is slicker on the floor but all of their skills may cancel each other out to create a compelling fight of the night contender.
Vera has been finishing people for fun but if there is an early finish you have to back Yadong with his power, but Vera will get stronger as the fight goes on.
Winner: Vera via Decision
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric.
