Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera faced off in a Bantamweight clash tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a very technical performance, Aldo is back in the win column.
Vera opened with some quick lead leg kicks. Aldo found a right hand then kicked the inner thigh. Vera clinched up and attempted a takedown. He managed to get really deep on the waist, but Aldo’s legendary takedown defense held up. Vera landed small knees to the thigh and controlled his foe along the fence for a while. Aldo gained space and kicked the body. Aldo ripped the body. Another! Aldo landed a cross to the mid-section then kicked the thigh twice. Vera pushed into the clinch again, but Aldo pivoted and avoided the fence. Another right to the body scored for the Brazilian. Head kick partially connected for Vera, but Aldo answered with a hard chopping low kick.
Aldo scored a jab to start the second. Vera landed a good side kick. Aldo touched the body twice then scored with a right hook to the jaw. Vera tried to establish his left kick to the body, but Aldo blocked well. Good jab from “Chito.” Right hand to the breadbasket from Aldo, followed by a left hook. Aldo checked a low kick, fired back. Hard cross scored for Aldo, followed by a whipping uppercut. More body shots from the former champion. Backfist landed for Vera. Vera wrapped up a clinch, kneed the body. Aldo denied a deep outside trip and landed a knee. Vera found a home for a couple punches. Hard counter left from “Chito.” Vera pushed back into the clinch, where he landed some good shots. Vera really finished the round well, but Aldo did dominate the early goings of the second.
Vera came out aggressive in the third, but Aldo countered with a takedown attempt into the back body lock. Vera used a kimura to attempt his escape, but Aldo took the back standing! Vera tried to shake his opponent off, but he fell to the mat with Aldo still on his back. Vera shifted to-and-fro, but Aldo remained glued to his opponent. Vera tried to slam his way free with no success. Aldo didn’t throw many punches, but he didn’t need to given the nearly entire round of control.
Aldo looked great! Early on, his offense was brief but fearsome, as he ripped the body and leg with real power. As soon as Vera managed to assert himself more in the fight, Aldo switched it up and completely controlled the third round, sealing a victory in the process.
Result: Jose Aldo defeats Marlon Vera via unanimous decision
For complete UFC Vegas 17: “Thompson vs. Neal” results and play-by-play, click HERE!