Chito Vera Says He Would Have Slapped a Judge After Split-Decision Loss to Zahabi

Overview

• Aiemann Zahabi defeated Marlon Vera by split decision at UFC Vancouver, with judges Jake Maxim and Mike Bell scoring it for Zahabi and Sal D’Amato for Vera.
• Vera scored a knockdown in the second round but did not press for a finish, while Zahabi’s higher volume and pressure influenced the optics for many observers.
• Vera maintained he won the fight and said UFC security staffer Elliott kept him from confronting a judge he claims he would have slapped.
• The setback marks Vera’s third straight loss and extends a winless stretch of more than two years, raising concerns about his near-term title prospects.
• Vera says his team is urging faster, higher-tempo starts going forward, and analysts have floated potential rebuild bouts such as Mario Bautista or Marcus McGhee as speculation.