**Published on Oct 14, 2025 • 4-minute read**
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Aiemann Zahabi, seen here delivering a punch to Jose Aldo during their UFC 315 featherweight match on May 10, 2025, is making waves in the MMA world. (Canadian Press)
In a sport characterized by diverse fighting techniques, Aiemann Zahabi’s greatest asset might just be his intellect.
The 37-year-old bantamweight from Montreal has climbed to No. 9 in the UFC bantamweight rankings through a combination of strategy and skill. He faces another significant challenge this Saturday against No. 7 Marlon (Chito) Vera at a UFC Fight Night event in Vancouver.
Zahabi (13-2-0) is on a six-fight winning streak in the UFC, with his latest victory coming against UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo, who announced his retirement for the second time after losing to Zahabi by decision at UFC 315 in Montreal.
Former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre highlights Zahabi’s exceptional fighting IQ as his top attribute, a sentiment Zahabi wholeheartedly agrees with.
“I’m not particularly athletically gifted, so I rely on my mind to win fights,” Zahabi explained. “I focus on identifying and exploiting my opponent’s weaknesses while playing to my own strengths. This is something Georges has emphasized for years, and I believe I’ve truly internalized that lesson.”
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Vera (23-10-1) poses a formidable challenge, despite having lost his last two fights and three of his last four, all against top-tier opponents. Notably, he has never been finished in a fight, with all ten of his losses coming by decision, and he has only been knocked down once in 24 UFC bouts.
The 32-year-old Vera, who has a record of 15-9-0 since his UFC debut in November 2014, lost a decision to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in August 2024. Prior to that, he went the distance in a title fight against then-bantamweight champion (Suga) Sean O’Malley at UFC 299 in March 2024. Despite being outstruck 230-89 in significant strikes, Vera managed to land a powerful body shot on O’Malley in the final seconds of the fifth round, causing the champion to lean against the fence to catch his breath after the final bell.
“I’m anticipating the best version of him,” Zahabi said regarding Vera. “After two losses, he’ll be highly motivated to avoid a third.”
Zahabi stands as the sole Canadian in this matchup, showcasing his strategic prowess in the octagon.