UFC Fight Night 262: Marlon Vera vs Aiemann Zahabi Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
A potential changing of the guard moment at bantamweight sees Marlon Vera defend his ranking against the upstart Aiemann Zahabi.
Marlon Vera vs Aiemann Zahabi facts
What time are Marlon Vera and Aiemann Zahabi expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Canada
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 262
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen main card
Reinier de Ridder vs Brendan Allen (Middleweight)
Kevin Holland vs Mike Malott (Welterweight)
Marlon Vera vs Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight)
Manon Fiorot vs Jasmine Jasudavicius (Women’s Flyweight)
Cody Gibson vs Aori Qileng (Bantamweight)
Kyle Nelson vs Matt Frevola (Lightweight)
UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen prelims
Charles Jourdain vs Davey Grant (Bantamweight)
Bruno Gustavo da Silva vs Park Hyun-sung (Flyweight)
Danny Barlow vs Djorden Ribeiro dos Santos (Middleweight)
Kyle Prepolec vs Drew Dober (Lightweight)
Stephanie Luciano vs Ravena Oliveira (Women’s Strawweight)
Azamat Bekoev vs Yousri Belgaroui (Middleweight)
Melissa Croden vs Tainara Lisboa (Women’s Bantamweight)
Marlon Vera: What does "Chito" have left in the tank at this point in his career?
Former bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera (23-10-1) enters this contest at somewhat of a career crossroads. Coming up short to Sean O’Malley in their one-sided rematch at UFC 299, “Chito” went on to lose to Deiveson Figueiredo in his only fight since. That match up also saw Vera get officially dropped for the first time in his storied career, raising questions as to whether his legendary chin may finally be beginning to show cracks. At his best, Vera is one of the division’s most opportunistic and prolific finishers, but a long lay off and the amount of damage “Chito” has taken throughout his career raises valid questions as to whether those days are behind him.
Aiemann Zahabi: Can Zahabi banish the boo birds associated with his controversial victory last time out?
The younger brother of famed MMA mind Firas Zahabi, Aimenn Zahabi (13-2) is unbeaten across his last six fights despite beginning his UFC tenure at just 1-2 in his first three appearances. The 37 year old Canadian is now ranked at No. 9 in the UFC’s bantamweight division and finds himself in the co-main event off the back of a career best decision victory over Jose Aldo. While Zahabi’s grinding win over “Junior” was widely touted as one of the most controversial decisions of the year, the Canadian looks to capitalize on the opportunity and take out another veteran of the division in front of his home crowd.
Marlon Vera vs Aiemann Zahabi prediction
Vera has simply become too reliant on finding the finish in his fights. He was down on the scorecards against Dominick Cruz and Frankie Edgar before finding a head kick KO, and he was also handily losing to Rob Font outside of the moments where he was able to hurt the New England Cartel man so badly that he eventually won the fight on damage. As such, it’s hard to envision a win for “Chito” if he’s unable to get Zahabi out of there.
On the other side of the cage, Zahabi might lack Vera’s opportunistic finishing instincts, but he’s more than willing to bite down on the mouthpiece and make things dirty in order to secure the “W.” He’s a good grappler with solid ground and pound, but more importantly, he’s no sitting duck on the feet. The Canadian might not be scoring highlight reel KOs, but anybody capable of hanging tough with Jose Aldo in the stand up clearly isn’t a deer in the headlights either.
In short, Zahabi has a significant edge in momentum and considerably more ways to win this fight. He’s also been fairly active, while Vera hasn’t been in the cage since a clear cut defeat to Deiveson Figueiredo last August. “Chito” could well roll back the years with a vicious come-from-behind stoppage, but the pick is for Zahabi to outwork him across three rounds to earn a clear cut unanimous decision.
Prediction: Aiemann Zahabi to win
