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The UFC held its first Texas-held event of 2023 this past weekend. Much of the card's drawing power stemmed from its headliner and co-main event.
Bantamweight actionman Cory 'The Sandhagen' Sandhagen faced brutal power-puncher Marlon 'Chito' Vera in a five-round affair that served as a possible title eliminator. Reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling sat in attendance alongside teammate and top contender Merab Dvalisvhili.
Meanwhile, the co-main event featured a clash between former teammates Holly Holm and Yana Santos. 'The Preacher's Daughter' hoped to get back in the win column to earn yet another crack at the divisional throne she once sat on. Her former teammate, 'Foxy', sought to rebound from a TKO loss in her first fight since 2021.
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A lot took place at UFC on ESPN 43, and this list looks at the five biggest events of the evening.
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#5. Maycee Barber might have cracked the UFC women's flyweight top 10
Prior to her scheduled bout with Andrea Lee this past Saturday, Maycee Barber's latest loss was against newly crowned flyweight champion Alexa Grasso. After her clash with 'KGB', that remains the case.
Heading into the bout, Lee was the No.11-ranked women's flyweight, while Barber was ranked at No.13.
Come fight night, the pair had a closely contested bout that saw the 24-year-old prospect emerge victorious via split decision. While the divisional ranks are yet to be updated, they are certain to change on Tuesday. Given her gutsy win over the No.11-ranked flyweight, Barber may have cracked the top 10.
Due to Viviane Araújo's two-fight losing streak, it's possible that she'll be leapfrogged by 'The Future'. Come Tuesday, the MMA world will find out.
#4. Holly Holm turns back the clock
Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm is one of the oldest active fighters on the promotion's roster. She'll be turning 42 this year and has struggled to recapture the magic of her dominant title-winning KO against the legendary Ronda Rousey.
Prior to the UFC's recent trip to Texas, she was coming off a loss to Ketlen Vieira. Throughout the years, 'The Preacher's Daughter' transformed herself into a clinch-fighter who pins her foes against the fence. This past Saturday, she faced former teammate Yana Santos and looked better than she has in years.
She showcased her trademark movement and counterpunching, while also demonstrating her improved grappling on the mat to score a dominant unanimous decision win.
#3. Marlon Vera's UFC title dreams come to an end, for now
Three years ago, Sean O'Malley referred to himself as a future world champion before dismissing Marlon Vera as a journeyman. His statement came after he tasted defeat at 'Chito's' hands.
Since then, 'Sugar' has been proven half-wrong given that the Ecuadorian bruiser is anything but a journeyman.
Unfortunately, his campaign to earn a UFC title fight has come to an end, at least for now.
While 'Chito' has always been a slow-starter who prefers to patiently stalk his foes across the octagon while making reads that inform his devastating KO blows, his low output came back to bite him this time.
His opponent, Cory Sandhagen, overwhelmed him with higher output while disrupting his rhythm by implementing takedowns and level changes. After becoming a fan favorite during his run to the top of the rankings, Vera's four-fight win streak has come to an end.
#2. Cory Sandhagen calls out Merab Dvalishvili
Ever since his first-round submission loss to now-reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen has been on a mission to repair his image. He pushed former champions T.J. Dillashaw and Petr Yan to the brink with a spirited effort in both bouts, with many feeling he was deserving of a win against Dillashaw.
Recently, tireless Georgian grappler Merba Dvalishvili dominated 'No Mercy' in a manner that no one before him ever has. Despite being predominantly known as a striker, 'The Sandman' made it a point to prove how far his grappling has progressed by frequently taking Marlon Vera to the mat.
He battered his foe with elbows and punches en route to capturing a convincing win, despite one judge somehow scoring the fight in Vera's favor.
After winning, 'The Sandman' issued a challenge. Instead of calling out Sean O'Malley, he called out Merab Dvalishvili, asserting that he doesn't shy away from challenges.
#1. Donald Cerrone to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame
Some UFC fighters have the misfortune of never capturing a title despite their best efforts. Donald Cerrone is one such mixed martial artist.
Yet, 'Cowboy' still managed to carve out a legacy as one of the most exciting fighters the promotion has ever seen. During his peak, he was as active as any fighter has ever been.
He fought as many as five times in 2011, while regularly fighting four times per year every other time. He was an entertaining offensive buzzsaw of kickboxing and underrated Brazilian jiu-jitsu, enabling him to tie the record for the second-most UFC wins in history, while owning the third-most finishes in the promotion.
Thus, due to his efforts, 'Cowboy' was honored on the broadcast of UFC on ESPN 43 as a Hall of Fame inductee this year.
