The UFC has officially added an exciting bantamweight showdown between Marlon “Chito” Vera and Canada’s own Aiemann Zahabi to the UFC Vancouver fight card scheduled for October 18, 2025. Each fighters are top-ten contenders within the 135-pound division, promising a high-stakes battle in front of the Canadian crowd at Rogers Arena.
Marlon Vera will fight Aiemann Zahabi at #UFCVancouver on October 18th. #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/1owIjmKHOG
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) August 7, 2025
Aiemann Zahabi, ranked tenth within the bantamweight division, is riding a six-fight win streak, highlighted by a significant victory over former featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 315 in May. Zahabi, brother of renowned trainer Firas Zahabi, has built momentum as a tricky and expert competitor, wanting to climb further up the rankings.
WHAT A FIGHT 👏 #UFC315
How did you rating Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi?! pic.twitter.com/j1lkHFhhhl
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 11, 2025
On the opposite side, Marlon Vera, ranked seventh, is a seasoned contender with a record of 23 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw. Vera was initially slated to fight Mario Bautista in June but pulled out as a consequence of injury. Since then, he has been preparing to bounce back after losses to Deiveson Figueiredo and Sean O’Malley, two of the division’s elite fighters. Vera’s experience and aggressive style contrast Zahabi’s technical striking and sturdiness, setting the stage for a compelling clash that would have significant implications for bantamweight title contention.
Primary Event Highlight: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista
Headlining the cardboard is the highly anticipated return of Umar Nurmagomedov, who will face off against surging contender Mario Bautista. This bantamweight headline fight signals a pivotal moment within the division. Nurmagomedov, coming off his first skilled defeat at UFC 299 to Merab Dvalishvili, is seeking to reclaim his path to title contention. Often known as a prodigy from Dagestan and a member of the famed Nurmagomedov fighting family, Umar’s return is extremely anticipated by fans worldwide. His loss, though tough, serves as a learning point on his journey back to stardom.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista is about to headline UFC fight night October 18th in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada per @TeamKhabib #UFC #ufcfighnight #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/f5clzUqpg1
— ufc addictt (@ufc_addictt) August 3, 2025
Mario Bautista arrives on a five-fight winning streak, with notable victories over former title challengers and renowned fighters, marking him as a serious threat and rising star within the bantamweight ranks. Bautista’s fast hands, dynamic scrambling, and calm cage demeanor will test Umar’s skills and resolve, ensuring that this fundamental event will feature high-level competition and thrilling exchanges.
For Nurmagomedov, a victory means reigniting his pursuit of the bantamweight belt, potentially establishing a rematch with Dvalishvili. For Bautista, a win could propel him into his first legitimate title shot, adding immense stakes to their encounter. UFC Vancouver’s Rogers Arena is predicted to be electric for this showdown, with Nurmagomedov accompanied by his legendary cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov and his elite team, adding much more narrative weight and anticipation to the bout.
Confirmed Bouts on the UFC Vancouver Card
Along with the stellar matchups of Vera vs. Zahabi and Nurmagomedov vs. Bautista, several exciting fights have been confirmed for UFC Vancouver. One notable inclusion is Canadian flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius, ranked fifth, who will tackle France’s number two contender Manon “The Beast” Fiorot. This fight adds depth to the cardboard, showcasing elite talent in multiple divisions to the enthusiastic Vancouver crowd.
THE RISE CONTINUES 🇨🇦
St. Catharines’ Jasmine Jasudavicius (No. 5) will tackle Manon Fiorot (No. 2) at #UFCVancouver on October 18 👊 pic.twitter.com/jhWBkrtGJf
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 24, 2025
UFC Vancouver Fight Card
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista
- Manon Fiorot vs. Jasmin Jasudavicius
- Marlon Vera vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- Bruno Silva vs. HyunSung Park
- Stephanie Luciano vs. Ravena Oliveira
- Danny Barlow vs. Djorden Santos
- Azamat Bekoev vs. Yousri Belgaroui
The event consolidates a mix of top-ranked contenders and established veterans across weight classes, promising an evening filled with motion and meaningful fights that would reshape several divisional landscapes. With Vera and Zahabi’s bantamweight clash, Nurmagomedov’s headline bout, and Jasudavicius’s flyweight contest, the cardboard is shaping as much as be some of the exciting UFC events of the autumn 2025 schedule.
UFC Vancouver on October 18th guarantees intense battles, career-defining moments, and compelling storylines. Fans will witness a mixture of redemption quests, rising stars difficult veterans, and thrilling matchups inside among the UFC’s best weight classes. The addition of Marlon Vera vs. Aiemann Zahabi and the presence of Umar Nurmagomedov’s return fight ensure UFC Vancouver is an event that fight fans won’t need to miss come this October.