Marlon Vera

Marlon Andrés Vera Delgado (born December 2, 1992), also known as Chito Vera, is an Ecuadorian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

As of February 20, 2024, he is #5 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

Vera was born into a middle-class family in Chone, Ecuador.

He has an older sister and brother.

Causing Ruckus and getting into street fights throughout his youth, Vera started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in his newly-adopted hometown of Guayaquil at the age of 16.

Vera began training as an amateur in 2011 and made his professional debut in February 2012.

He compiled a record of 8–1–1, competing for regional promotions in Latin America before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter in 2014.

In May 2014, it was revealed that Vera was a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, competing for Team Werdum.

Over the course of the show, Vera first defeated Henry Briones in the quarterfinals via knockout.

Subsequently, Vera was forced out of his semi-final bout with a skin infection and was replaced by Guido Cannetti.

Vera made his official debut against fellow castmate Marco Beltrán on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

For his next bout, Vera faced Roman Salazar on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73.

He won the fight via submission in the second round.

He also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

Vera faced Davey Grant on February 27, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 84.

Vera lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Vera was expected to face Ning Guangyou on August 20, 2016, at UFC 202.

Subsequently, on August 9, 2016, it was revealed that Guangyou had tested positive for trace amounts of clenbuterol in relation to an out-of-competition drug test taken on May 19.

Guangyou was cleared of wrongdoing after it was determined by USADA that he had possibly ingested tainted meat from China.

As a result, he was not punished.

The bout was rescheduled and expected to take place the following week at UFC on Fox 21.

In turn, the bout was postponed again due to alleged visa issues for Guangyou, which restricted the timing of his travel.

The pairing eventually took place at featherweight on November 27, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 101.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Vera was briefly tabbed as a short notice replacement to face Jimmie Rivera on January 15, 2017.

However, Rivera declined the fight and the pairing was scrapped.

Vera was an injury replacement for Henry Briones to face Brad Pickett on March 18, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 107.

Due to the short notice and preparation for Vera, the bout was contested at a catchweight of 140 lbs.

He won the fight via TKO in the third round for which he was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

Vera faced Brian Kelleher on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25.

He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Vera faced John Lineker on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 119.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Vera faced Douglas Silva de Andrade on February 3, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 125.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Vera faced Wuliji Buren on August 8, 2018, at UFC 227.

He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Vera faced Guido Cannetti on November 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 140.

He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two.