Marlon Vera’s return to the Octagon didn’t go as planned. The former bantamweight title challenger came up short in a razor-thin split decision loss to Aiemann Zahabi on Saturday night at UFC Vancouver, held at Rogers Arena in British Columbia.
The three-round contest was competitive from start to finish, but when the scorecards were read, two judges sided with Zahabi — leaving “Chito” visibly frustrated and convinced the result should have gone the other way.
Vera’s Frustration Boils Over
After the fight, Vera took to social media to share his feelings, suggesting that he was unfairly denied the win.
“Sometimes things can get really dark,” Vera wrote. “But not giving up will get you light. Don’t get it twisted — I won tonight, we got robbed in Canada.”
He didn’t stop there, reinforcing his stance in a follow-up message:
“Today I won and the judges robbed me.”
Hoy gané y los jueces me robaron
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) October 19, 2025
The outspoken Ecuadorian has never been shy about voicing his emotions after a fight, and this time was no different.
Vera came into the bout hoping to reignite his career after a long break from competition. To address past slow starts, he revamped his training approach — swapping his signature long-distance runs for shorter, high-intensity sprint work aimed at improving his explosiveness.
The changes showed early promise, but the fight still slipped away by the narrowest of margins. Zahabi edged the opening round by landing cleaner combinations and controlling distance, while Vera stormed back in the second with a powerful right hand that rattled the Canadian and a strong ground-and-pound finish.
However, in the final round, Zahabi rallied again. His sharper striking and late pressure convinced two of the three judges that he had done enough to take the decision.
The loss extends a difficult run for Vera, who now holds a record of 23–11–1 in mixed martial arts. It marks his third consecutive defeat and fourth loss in his last five fights, putting the 32-year-old in unfamiliar territory after years of being one of the division’s most reliable contenders.
Despite the setback, Vera has built a reputation for resilience — something that may serve him well as he looks to regroup. His message after the fight reflected that fighting spirit, even amid frustration: “Don’t get it twisted — I won tonight.”
Aiemann Zahabi’s win solidifies his place among the top ten bantamweights, while Vera faces questions about what comes next. Known for his durability and grit, “Chito” has battled through adversity before, and his loyal fan base expects nothing less than a strong return.
Published on October 19, 2025 at 9:43 pm
Stay up-to-date with the latest MMA news, rumors, and updates by following the RED Monster on
Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, and Instagram. Also, don’t forget to add MiddleEasy to your Google News feed
for even more coverage.