Aiemann Zahabi, a 37-year-old bantamweight from Montreal, is making a significant impact in the UFC, currently ranked No. 9 in the bantamweight division. He is set to face a formidable opponent, Marlon (Chito) Vera, who ranks No. 7, in a highly anticipated match at a UFC Fight Night event this Saturday in Vancouver.
With a record of 13 wins and 2 losses, Zahabi has established a six-fight winning streak in the UFC, including a notable victory over UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo earlier this year at UFC 315 in Montreal. Aldo’s defeat led to his second retirement announcement after Zahabi won decisively by decision. Former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre has praised Zahabi’s exceptional fight IQ, a quality Zahabi values, stating that he often relies on strategy rather than sheer athleticism. “I like to find their weakness and exploit that,” Zahabi explained, emphasizing the importance of fighting smart.
Vera, despite having lost his last two fights, remains a tough competitor. He has never been finished in a fight, with all ten of his losses coming via decision. The 32-year-old Ecuadorian fighter has faced elite opponents throughout his career, including a recent bout where he fought the former flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo. His resilience is noteworthy, having been knocked down only once in 24 UFC fights.
Zahabi is well aware of the stakes in this matchup, especially considering Vera’s motivation to avoid a third consecutive loss. “I’m expecting the best version of him,” Zahabi remarked. The fighter is also backed by his older brother, Firas Zahabi, his longtime trainer, who has played a pivotal role in shaping his career. Although Georges St-Pierre would typically be in Zahabi’s corner, he won’t be available for this fight due to a scheduling conflict.
The excitement isn’t just reserved for the bantamweight clash; the main event of the night features Reinier de Ridder, the fourth-ranked middleweight contender, facing off against No. 9 Brendan Allen. Zahabi, whose UFC record stands at 7-2-0 with a favorable 4-1-0 in his home country, is eager to make his mark again, especially following a quick victory against Qileng Aori earlier this year in Vancouver.
Zahabi’s journey in mixed martial arts began at a young age with karate and evolved as he pursued a career after studying accounting at McGill University. His path hasn’t been without hurdles; after experiencing a knockout loss to Ricardo Ramos in 2017, Zahabi focused on enhancing his mental game, which has contributed to his impressive comeback. He has firmly entrenched himself among the top fighters in his division, demonstrating an unwavering spirit and determination.
As the fight night draws closer, the anticipation for Zahabi’s showdown with Vera builds, promising an electrifying evening of mixed martial arts action for fans in Vancouver and those watching from home.