Aiemann Zahabi isn’t just looking to extend his win streak this weekend, he’s chasing a statement. The Canadian bantamweight specifically requested Marlon “Chito” Vera for his bout at UFC Vancouver on Saturday.
“I asked for Marlon after my last fight because I want to keep moving forward. I want to keep the momentum going, and I think he’s a great matchup,” Zahabi told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“You’ve got to win the fights in the UFC, but you have to look good doing it. To look good doing it you need a really good dancing partner and I think Marlon is someone who always puts on great fights. I’m hoping that me and him have a historic moment this weekend.”
Zahabi (13-2) knows what he’s walking into against a veteran like Vera who is fighter defined by toughness and chaos. Still, he’s confident his skill, patience, and defense can turn a brawl into a showcase of precision.
“I prepared myself for a war. I don’t want it to have to be a battle of attrition. I’d love to outplay him, that’s my goal, outplay him, outclass him, but if it has to be a battle of attrition I want to be the last man standing,” he said.
“He’s been in a lot of wars. Chins don’t improve, they get worse over time. I have some of the best defensive skills in the UFC history, and I’m hopefully going to show that defense wins fights.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Aiemann Zahabi above. He faces Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC Vancouver on Saturday night.
