“We Got Robbed in Canada” – Chito Vera Protests Judges’ Decision at UFC Vancouver

Bantamweight contender Chito Vera blames judges for his controversial UFC Vancouver split decision loss against Aiemann Zahabi.

“We Got Robbed in Canada” – Chito Vera Protests Judges’ Decision at UFC Vancouver

Chito Vera disputes UFC Vancouver loss (via Bloody Elbow, MMA Fighting)

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The UFC’s return to Vancouver on October 18, 2025, featured a highly anticipated bantamweight bout between Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera and Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi. The fight, held at Rogers Arena, was expected to be a pivotal moment for both fighters. Vera, coming off two consecutive losses, sought to regain his momentum, while Zahabi aimed to extend his impressive six-fight win streak.

The contest unfolded over three rounds, with both fighters showcasing their skills. Zahabi started strong, securing the first round with effective striking. Vera responded in the second, delivering a powerful jab that dropped Zahabi, demonstrating his resilience. The final round saw the Canadian applying consistent pressure, keeping Vera on the defensive.

After 15 minutes of intense action, the judges rendered a split decision in favor of Zahabi, with two scoring it 29–28 and one 29–28 for Vera. The Ecuadorian looked annoyed as soon as the decision was announced and stormed out of the octagon after throwing a water bottle in the cage. However, he took to Instagram to post his thoughts regarding the UFC Vancouver bout.

Sometimes things can get really dark. But not giving up will get you light. Don’t get it twisted I won tonight we got robbed in Canada.

Chito Vera via Instagram

The nature of the scoring further fueled the controversy. Observers noted that Vera’s second-round dominance, including the knockdown, was a significant moment in the fight. However, Zahabi’s consistent aggression in the third round appeared to sway the judges. Vera and Zahabi were also involved in a fiery face-off after the fight ended and had to be separated by officials.

The Vancouver fight against Zahabi was pivotal for Vera, as he entered the bout while being on a two-fight skid. The Ecuadorian bantamweight most recently lost to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo via unanimous decision in August 2024. He was also involved in a controversy after Sean O’Malley accused him of greasing his hair in their UFC 299 title match, which Vera lost via decision.

Looking ahead, both Vera and Zahabi face crucial decisions regarding their careers. Chito Vera’s reaction to the loss suggests a desire to continue competing at a high level. On the other hand, Zahabi’s victory positions him as a rising contender in the division, which Georgian superstar Merab Dvalishvili dominantly rules. The bout, however, reignited discussions surrounding judging practices in the UFC.

Chito Vera credits Merab Dvalishvili as a source of inspiration

Merab Dvalishvili has established himself as one of the most dominant forces in the UFC. Over his 14-fight win streak, he has defeated top contenders such as Cory Sandhagen, Henry Cejudo, and Jose Aldo, demonstrating a blend of relentless wrestling and pressure striking. Dvalishvili has defended his bantamweight title three times in 2025, cementing his status as a dominant force in the division.

Chito Vera praises Merab Dvalishvili
Chito Vera praises Merab Dvalishvili (via Cageside Press, Playoffs)

When Chito Vera last fought in August 2024, Dvalishvili had not yet captured the UFC bantamweight title. He went on to claim the championship at UFC 306 in September 2024 and quickly added three successful title defenses to his record, with his next defense against Petr Yan scheduled for UFC 323 in December. Vera recently spoke about how the Georgian champion’s career trajectory inspires him every day.

He’s really good, and he fights at a pace where he makes you doubt yourself. He has showed that he’s not the most skillful striker, not the most clean grappling because he’s not tapping people out like Damian (Maia) back in the day. He has put it together, and it doesn’t matter how it looks. It’s amazing what he’s doing and that’s a person that motivates me too.

Chito Vera via MMA Junkie

While Vera expressed appreciation for Dvalishvili’s career and acknowledged his dominance, he also highlighted potential gaps in his skill set. Drawing a comparison to the Demian Maia era, Vera noted that while Maia often submitted opponents with superior grappling, he complemented his technique with overpowering wrestling, exposing vulnerabilities in fighters who relied primarily on one dimension.

Chito Vera’s perspective suggested that even dominant and inspiring champions like Merab Dvalishvili can have exploitable areas. He emphasized that in MMA, mastery in multiple facets remains crucial for long-term supremacy.

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