UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen
UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen (also known as UFC on ESPN 43) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 25, 2023, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, United States.

Background
The event marked the promotion's third visit to San Antonio and first since UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards in July 2019.

A bantamweight bout between Marlon Vera and former interim UFC Bantamweight Championship challenger Cory Sandhagen headlined the event. They were previously expected to headline UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield, but were rescheduled to this event for unknown reasons.

Although it was not announced by the promotion, a rematch between Irene Aldana and former UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship challenger Raquel Pennington was originally rumored to headline this event. The pair previously met at UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards, where Pennington won by a split decision. However, the bout never materialized.

Sean Brady and Michel Pereira were expected to meet in a welterweight bout. However, Brady pulled out in mid-February due to a torn groin and the bout was scrapped.

A featherweight bout between Alex Caceres and Nate Landwehr was expected to take place at the event. However, Caceres withdrew due to an undisclosed reason and was replaced by Austin Lingo.

Liang Na and Brogan Walker-Sanchez were expected to meet in a women's flyweight bout. However, Liang pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and Walker-Sanchez was moved to UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes a month later as a replacement against Iasmin Lucindo.

Tamires Vidal was expected to face Hailey Cowan in a women's bantamweight bout at the event. However, Vidal pulled out due to undisclosed medical reasons and the pairing was scrapped.

A lightweight bout between Manuel Torres and Trey Ogden was expected to take place at the event, but it was cancelled the day before due to Torres suffering a medical issue.

Former UFC Flyweight Championship challenger Alex Perez and former Rizin Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape were expected to meet on the main card. However, the pairing was cancelled during the broadcast as Perez suffered a seizure backstage.

During the event's broadcast, former UFC Lightweight Championship challenger Donald Cerrone was announced as the next "modern wing" UFC Hall of Fame inductee.

Results

Bonus awards
The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.
Fight of the Night: C.J. Vergara vs. Daniel da Silva
Performance of the Night: Nate Landwehr and Daniel Pineda

See also

 List of UFC events
 List of current UFC fighters
 2023 in UFC

References

 

UFC on ESPN
2023 in mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts in Texas
2023 in sports in Texas
March 2023 sports events in the United States
Sports competitions in San Antonio