The energy of a UFC main event is always palpable, as was the case with UFC on ESPN 41 in San Diego. Add a big knockout into the combustibility and the rush of cheers is deafening.
When Marlon Vera knocked Dominick Cruz out with a nose-breaking head kick Aug. 13, the venue was shot into a frenzy. Supporters of Vera and Cruz had opposite levels of elation in the final result, but many across the board were sent home with a level of awe and appreciation.
For the two men involved in the main event, the polar-opposite emotions were magnified, as seen in a recently-released behind-the-scenes video by UFC broadcast partner ESPN.
The video begins during the cage exits. Cruz, devastated, appears to be trying to come to grips with what happened from his first true knockout defeat. He checks out his newly-dented nose and largely sits in silence, with the exception of a few expletives. Meanwhile, it’s a family affair for Vera, who celebrates with his wife, children, parents, and management in the locker room and hotel.
Check out the video entitled “UFC Journey” above.
