Cory Sandhagen unimpressed with Marlon Vera's recent victories

Top bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera are scheduled to lock horns at UFC Vegas 69 on February 18 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Despite the challenge ahead, it seems that 'The Sandman' is completely unimpressed with his opponent's recent victories.

In an interview with MMA Junkie, the No.5-ranked contender downplayed Vera's recent wins, saying that the method used to secrue them is "unreliable." The 30-year-old insinuated that most of the Ecuadorian's recent wins came by way of lucky finishes in fights where he was clearly losing:

"Not really honestly [I'm not impressed by Marlon Vera's recent performances]. I think the way he has been winning is not a reliable way to win. When I think about some of the best fighters in the world or what I foresee me trying to become... it doesn't involve a lot of unreliable winning. It involves strategically beating them in every moment... I don't think it can be loose most of the fight and then catch the person in one of the later rounds, which is how he beat Frankie [Edgar]... and then that's how he beat [Dominick] Cruz."

Watch the full interview below:

Sandhagen is confident that such 'unreliable' tactics will fail Marlon Vera when they meet in the octagon.

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'The Sandman' will enter UFC Vegas 69 fresh off his fourth-round TKO win against Song Yadong last September, while 'Chito' Vera is currently on a four-fight win streak.

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Dominick Cruz picks his favorite for Cory Sandhagen vs. Marlon Vera

In a recent Instagram post, bantamweight legend Dominick Cruz picked Cory Sandhagen to triumph over Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night 219.

'The Dominator' explained that although Vera is particularly skilled in getting finishes, 'The Sandman' could snatch a decision win if he can weather the storm in the first three rounds:

"As long as Sandhagen can keep that pace and not get hurt in those three rounds... he'll be fine. I think that he's got a five-round style and I think that Vera has the skills to [finish fights]... If I had to pick a winner in that one, I would say that Sandhagen wins by decision, by a close decision. [He] Just edges it out with numbers."

Watch Dominick Cruz predict Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen below: