Canadian bantamweight Charles Jourdain is getting a step up in competition next time out.
Jourdain (18-8-1) will take on Marlon “Chito” Vera (23-12-1) as part of a UFC event on September 19, 2026, though the location and venue have yet to be confirmed by the promotion. Rumors have had this date set as UFC 331 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, with MMA LatinoAmerica first reporting the news.
That same source later noted that UFC 331 had shifted to Sept. 12, with the promotion heading to Arizona for a Fight Night event on the 19th. Either way, Iridium Sports Agency, who represent Vera, have now confirmed the pair will fight on September 19, without confirming the location.
Jourdain is a perfect 3-0 since dropping to the bantamweight division in November 2024. He’s won post-fight bonuses in all three of those assignments, earning wins over Victor Henry, Davey Grant, and Kyler Phillips.
Jourdain currently sits ranked #13 at 135lbs per the UFC’s META AI rankings panel, but is unranked under the human-driven media rankings. Vera, who has not won a fight since challenging Sean O’Malley for gold at UFC 299 in 2024, is unranked by META, and #10 in the media rankings.
Chito Vera’s struggles of late have included losses to Deiveson Figueiredo, David Martinez, and Jourdain’s fellow countryman Aiemann Zahabi.
