Chito Vera is now on the worst losing skid of his profession.
The previous UFC title challenger had never lost three fights in a row prior to UFC Vancouver, where he took on a fellow top-10 contender in Aiemann Zahabi.
Chito Vera had looked to rebound from back-to-back losses to then bantamweight champ Sean O’Malley and former two-time flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo.
While Vera and Zahabi threw the identical amount of serious strikes across quarter-hour, it was the Canadian who outlanded Vera in every round. Vera knocked down Zahabi in round 2.
The bantamweights threw down before the ultimate bell, with Vera turning his back on Zahabi after he offered to shake his hand.
Ultimately, Zahabi got his hand raised, however it wasn’t without controversy.
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Chito Vera visibly upset after third straight loss at UFC Vancouver
Vera raised his arms like he won after his fight with Zahabi was over.
Two out of the three judges at ringside scored the fight for Zahabi, with Vera suffering a split decision loss.
Immediately after this loss, Vera threw the Monster bottle he was holding to the bottom and quickly tried to exit the cage using the door behind him.
An official didn’t let Vera use the exit, telling him he needed to walk to the opposite cage door.
Zahabi celebrated his seventh-straight victory together with his team as Vera left the Octagon after his third straight loss.
Fans react to Aiemann Zahabi vs. Chito Vera decision at UFC Vancouver
Vera wasn’t the just one who disagreed with the split decision.
Zahabi’s last two fights have led to a controversial decision as many argued he lost to Jose Aldo after nearly being finished by the previous champ at UFC 315.
“Robbed Aldo, now Chito,” one fan said of Zahabi’s latest win.
“Back-to-back undeserved wins for Zahabi,” one other fan wrote on X.
“Chito Vera lost the fight the moment he decided that he didn’t wish to finish the fight in round 2,” one other fan suggested.
“He has no reason to be mad. He stopped fighting halfway through the fight. He does that each fight. I never bet on him since it’s the standard story every fight.”