The UFC Vancouver card features an intriguing bantamweight scrap between veterans who find themselves at different crossroads. Marlon Vera vs Aiemann Zahabi brings together two fighters with contrasting recent trajectories in the 135-pound division. Vera has been a familiar face in the UFC for over a decade now, accumulating 24 fights inside the Octagon. Zahabi took a more unconventional path to this point, disappearing for 2 years during the pandemic before returning as a completely transformed fighter.
Vera’s last appearance came over a year ago when he dropped a close decision to Deiveson Figueiredo. That layoff might have been necessary considering the accumulated damage from years of elite competition. Zahabi, meanwhile, has been on fire since his comeback, rattling off 6 straight victories. His most notable win came against the legendary Jose Aldo in what turned out to be Aldo’s retirement fight. This matchup carries significant implications for both men as they look to stay relevant in a crowded UFC bantamweight landscape.
Vera brings a record of 23-10-1. He stands 5’8” tall with a 70 inch reach. He lands 4.27 significant strikes per minute at 49% accuracy. The problem is Vera absorbs 5.37 strikes per minute, the highest number among fighters on this card. His striking defense sits at just 50%, meaning he takes as many shots as he blocks. Vera’s wrestling stats show 0.51 takedowns per fight at 39% accuracy, as grappling has never been his primary focus. His takedown defense checks in at 72%, which is respectable for a striker-first fighter. Vera averages 0.8 submissions per fight and has shown he’s dangerous when opportunities present themselves on the ground.
Zahabi enters with an impressive 13-2. He also stands 5’8” but gives up 2 inches in reach at 68 inches. He lands 4.42 significant strikes per minute at 46% accuracy. More impressively, Zahabi only absorbs 4.13 strikes per minute with excellent striking defense at 69%. He rarely shoots for takedowns, averaging just 0.14 per fight at 14% accuracy. His takedown defense is elite at 83%, making him very difficult to hold down. Zahabi has never attempted a submission in the UFC, preferring to win fights on the feet with superior technique.
According to FanDuel, they have Aiemann Zahabi as the favorite at -136. Meanwhile, Marlon Vera comes back as the underdog at +108. These odds are interesting considering Vera’s name recognition and experience level.
The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at -300. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is lower and the odds (+215) reflect that.
This fight comes down to whether Vera’s experience and power can overcome Zahabi’s technical refinement and defensive discipline. Zahabi has looked phenomenal in his 6-fight winning streak, showing improvements in every area. His striking defense is among the best in the bantamweight division right now.
Vera brings knockout power and a willingness to engage in firefights, but that aggressive style leaves him open to counters. Zahabi’s patient approach could frustrate Vera early, especially since “Chito” is notoriously slow out of the gates. The first round will be crucial for setting the tone.
If we bet on the fight, we are going with Aiemann Zahabi to win via unanimous decision.
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mma I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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