Preview: UFC on ESPN 41 ‘Vera vs. Cruz’

Tom FeelyAug 11, 2022

Featherweights

David Onama (10-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Nate Landwehr (15-4, 2-2 UFC)

ODDS: Onama (-210), Landwehr (+180)

There is still a long way to go, particularly in one of the UFC’s deeper divisions, but Onama is a promising prospect who can cause a ton of damage in the future. The UFC’s first fighter born in Uganda, Onama immediately impressed in his late-notice debut in 2021, stepping up in weight and holding his own against Mason Jones in a tough three-round war. Upon moving down to his natural weight class in 2022, the “Silent Assassin” has been wrecking shop, with finishes of Gabriel Benitez and Garrett Armfield. Onama had his rough moments in each fight—there is not much defense built into his game yet, so he normally forces his way to his impressive offense—but his combination of durability and finishing ability has seen him power through whatever comes his way for a violent comeback. Onama is keeping up a busy schedule. Just a shade over a month removed from the Armfield win, he turns around for a tough test against Landwehr. A well-traveled vet upon getting the UFC call late in 2019, “The Train” made his name in Russia, mostly by staging impressive comebacks. Landwehr could be outwrestled but managed to keep surviving and outlasting his opponents before pouring on some late offense. That has mostly been Landwehr’s path to victory through four UFC fights. His two wins have seen him gut through some absolute wars to take over late, but the losses have seen him get sparked quickly before he can ever get the ball rolling. Once again, Landwehr should be able to gain momentum, provided he survives the early going. However, this is Onama’s fight to lose. Beyond the solid chance at an early finish, he also does not appear to be a particularly breakable prospect and should still be effective come the later rounds. The pick is Onama via second-round knockout.



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Vera vs. Cruz
Onama vs. Landwehr
Jauregui vs. Lucindo
Murzakanov vs. Clark
Calvillo vs. Nunes
Silva vs. Meerschaert
The Prelims