UFC 299 Fight Card: PPV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for O'Malley vs. Vera 2
The bantamweight division officially becomes the Suga Show when Sean O'Malley will make the walk to the Octagon as champion for the first time against Marlon "Chito" Vera in the UFC 299 main event.
That walk will be a bit of a full-circle moment in O'Malley's UFC career. If you rewind back to 2020, O'Malley was a budding star with a quick 3-0 start in the UFC that included three performance bonus-winning performances and knockout wins over Jose Alberto Quinonez and Eddie Wineland.
Then came Vera and a sharp halt to the O'Malley hype train. Vera scored a first-round TKO win over O'Malley which cast doubt on whether O'Malley would wind up being a championship-level fighter at the time.
He's since answered that question with a resounding yes. He has ripped off five consecutive wins, including the second-round TKO win over Aljamain Sterling to become champion at UFC 292.
Now he gets a chance to legitimize his championship and avenge the only loss of his career.
Here's a look at the complete fight card and all the info you need to catch the fight.
- Dustin Poirier (+170) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-205) – five round bout
- Kevin Holland (-135) vs. Michael Page (+114)
- Gilbert Burns (+140) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (-166)
- Yadong Song (+105) vs. Petr Yan (-125)
- Jailton Almeida (-115) vs. Curtis Blaydes (-105)
- Maycee Barber (-205) vs. Katlyn Cerminara (+170)
- Rafael dos Anjos (+320) vs. Mateusz Gamrot (-410)
- Pedro Munhoz (+185) vs. Kyler Phillips (-225)
- Ion Cutelaba (-122) vs. Philipe Lins (+102)
- Michal Oleksiejczuk (+120) vs. Michel Pereira (-142)
- Robelis Despaigne (-360) vs. Josh Parisian (+285)
- Asu Almabaev (-550) vs. CJ Vergara (+410)
- Maryna Moroz (-238) vs. Joanne Wood (+195)
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV, 10 p.m. ET)
Prelims (ESPNews/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
Early Prelims (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)
Rematches are always interesting in MMA. It's always hard to gauge just how much the first fight matters. Sometimes it's a precedent that simply can't be broken. Other times it isn't of much use.
This one probably falls in the latter camp.
O'Malley was just getting started when Vera chopped his legs down to set up a first-round finish. He also injured his calf early in the fight. That's not to take anything away from Vera. He's a veteran of the game who has earned this shot.
Chito is 5-1 over his last six fights with wins over Frankie Edgar, Rob Font, Dominick Cruz and Pedro Munhoz. Even his loss was competitive. Cory Sandhagen edged him out in a split decision back a year ago.
Vera is a tough striker with the ability to fire off kicks that can end the fight quickly. Leg kicks were a big theme in Vera's first win over O'Malley.
Suga may have a flair for the dramatic, but he can also be wily. The more comfortable he's become in the cage the better he's able to walk between the two worlds of entertainer and cerebral assassin.
He knows the dangers. He knows the areas and distances that can cause him trouble.
This might be a little more tactical showing from O'Malley but it will end the same way his last fight did.
Prediction: O'Malley via fourth-round TKO
The five-round co-main event between Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis is about trajectory.
Either Poirier is going to prove that he still belongs at the top of the division or Saint-Denis is going to show that he's a title contender himself. Fortunately for the fans, the UFC has decided to give them five rounds to figure it out.
Poirier told media that the five-round format was his idea because he believed he's the better fighter.
"I told them, 'I'll fight the guy but let's do it five rounds.' … Because I feel like the better fighter, unless something happens early, the better fighter wins over five rounds."
That's good promotion, but it feels like there's something a little more at play here. Saint-Denis has finished each of his last five opponents within the first two rounds of the fight. The Diamond seems to be looking for an advantage that will slow down Saint-Denis' initial rush.
It's a veteran move that has likely come from lots of experience in the difference between a three and five-round fight.
However, it isn't going to change the fact that Saint-Denis is an incredibly talented fighter with the versatility to hang with Poirier on the feet or in the grappling. Poirier is always a tough out but it feels like Saint-Denis is going to have his breakout performance here.
Prediction: Saint-Denis via second-round TKO
For those who enjoy cross-promotional fantasy matchmaking, the UFC debut of Michael "Venom" Page has been long-awaited.
Page never reached the level of champion with Bellator but he was one of the most fun fighters in his 10 years with the company. He has put together a record of 21-2 with 16 of those wins coming either by knockout or submission.
Page is a showman with sniper-like accuracy. He is capable of fighting as the aggressor, springing forward with heavy strikes or he can play the part of counter-striker picking apart an over-eager opponent.
Meanwhile, Kevin Holland is an ultra-aggressive if not reckless fighter who is always down to throw down. His wrestling could be an interesting weapon in this fight. Page is relatively untested on the ground, but it hasn't been his strong case in the rare case that he's taken down.
The contrast of styles has Fight of the Night written all over it and a fun introduction to Page in the UFC. The 36-year-old might not be good enough to climb too far up the rankings but he's going to put on some good fights when paired with the likes of Holland.
Prediction: Page via decision
Gambling Problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.
