Marlon Vera

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Vera holds the record for most finishes in UFC bantamweight history with 13, a testament to his finishing ability and durability. He is the first Ecuadorian fighter to headline a UFC event, which he did in March 2023 against Dominick Cruz. His knockout of Sean O'Malley at UFC 252 is one of the most viewed highlights in UFC history, with over 50 million YouTube views. Vera has been ranked as high as #3 in the UFC bantamweight division and has defeated two former champions (Dominick Cruz and Frankie Edgar). He was named Ecuadorian Athlete of the Year in 2020 and has been recognized as the country's best fighter for three consecutive years.

AwardsVera has won two UFC Performance of the Night bonuses (for KO of Sean O'Malley and TKO of Dominick Cruz) and two Fight of the Night bonuses (for bouts with Kyler Phillips and Mario Bautista). He was named Knockout of the Year in 2020 by MMA Fighting, MMA Junkie, and Sherdog. The Ecuadorian Sports Federation awarded him Ecuadorian Athlete of the Year in 2020, and he has been named Best Ecuadorian Fighter three times (2021, 2022, 2023) by the Ecuadorian MMA Association.

Honours & Distinctions

Key to the City of Chone

City of Chone, Ecuador·2021

Awarded for representing the city and Ecuador in the UFC.

Honorary Citizen of Portoviejo

City of Portoviejo, Ecuador·2022

Honored for his contributions to Ecuadorian sports.

Rankings & Lists

UFC Bantamweight Rankings

UFC·2023

#15

ESPN MMA Pound-for-Pound List

ESPN·2023

MMA Fighting Top 10 Bantamweights

MMA Fighting·2023

Sherdog Top 10 Bantamweights

Sherdog·2023

Magazine Covers

MMA Fighting

August 2020

The Chito Era Begins

ESPN The Magazine

March 2023

Ecuador's Finest: Marlon Vera's Rise

Sports Illustrated (Latin America)

April 2023

Chito Vera: The Face of Ecuadorian MMA

Records & Feats

Most finishes in UFC bantamweight history

Career Milestone·2025

Vera holds the record with 13 finishes (KO/TKO or submission) as of early 2025.

First Ecuadorian fighter to headline a UFC event

Historic First·2023

Vera headlined UFC on ESPN 43 on March 4, 2023, against Dominick Cruz.