UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports entertainment |
| Founded | March 25, 2023 |
| Headquarters | San Antonio, Texas , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Parent | Ultimate Fighting Championship |
UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen, alternatively referred to as UFC on ESPN 43, was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on March 25, 2023, at the AT&T Center located in San Antonio, Texas, United States.
Background
This event represented the UFC's third appearance in San Antonio and its first since July 2019.
Headlining the card was a bantamweight clash pitting Marlon Vera against Cory Sandhagen, a former interim UFC Bantamweight title contender. This matchup was initially planned to headline UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield but was postponed to this event for undisclosed reasons.
A potential rematch between Irene Aldana and Raquel Pennington, who previously contended for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship, was anticipated to serve as the main event but ultimately did not come to fruition.
A welterweight contest between Sean Brady and Michel Pereira was scheduled; however, Brady's withdrawal due to a groin injury resulted in the bout’s cancellation.
Featherweights Alex Caceres and Nate Landwehr were set to compete, though Caceres withdrew and was replaced by Austin Lingo.
The women's flyweight fight featuring Liang Na versus Brogan Walker-Sanchez was called off following Liang’s withdrawal; subsequently, Walker-Sanchez was reassigned to UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes.
Tamires Vidal was booked to face Hailey Cowan in a women's bantamweight matchup but had to pull out due to medical issues, leading to the bout’s cancellation.
A lightweight pairing between Manuel Torres and Trey Ogden was canceled one day before the event owing to Torres's medical condition.
A bout between former UFC Flyweight title challenger Alex Perez and ex-Rizin Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape was scrapped during the broadcast after Perez experienced a seizure backstage.
During the event, it was announced that Donald Cerrone, a former UFC Lightweight title challenger, would be inducted as the next "modern wing" member of the UFC Hall of Fame.
Bonus awards
Monetary bonuses of $50,000 were awarded as follows:
- Fight of the Night: C.J. Vergara vs. Daniel da Silva
- Performance of the Night: Nate Landwehr and Daniel Pineda