Aiemann Zahabi Edges Vera by Split Decision at UFC Vancouver

Aiemann Zahabi edged Marlon "Chito" Vera by split decision Saturday night at UFC Vancouver, handing Vera his third straight loss and extending Zahabi's win streak to seven. The bantamweight contest at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, delivered a tactical, closely contested 15 minutes that ended with two judges scoring the bout 29-28 and the third scoring it 29-28 for Vera's opponent, resulting in a split decision victory for Zahabi.

The fight unfolded as a low-volume, technical battle. Zahabi established a steady jab and leg-kick game in the opening round, finishing the stanza with momentum. In the second round Vera landed a stiff jab that dropped Zahabi but did not follow with finishing strikes, allowing the Canadian to recover and rally late with knees and combinations. The third round became a back-and-forth exchange in which Zahabi's leg kicks and bursts of offense matched Vera's forward pressure. Statistically Zahabi outlanded Vera in each round, according to ring-side tallies.

Vera, a former title challenger, entered the fight looking to halt a two-fight skid after decision losses to Sean O'Malley and Deiveson Figueiredo in 2024. The Ecuadorian veteran had been...