Prediction: Aiemann Zahabi via Decision
Zahabi’s one of those fighters who never fights out of character. He’s calm, patient, and operates completely on his own terms. You’ll never see him get dragged into brawls or start chasing big moments. He sets traps, uses his footwork to draw opponents in, and fires off crisp, accurate shots when they step into range. His striking accuracy and composure are his biggest weapons. He doesn’t waste motion, and after every exchange, he exits clean with that tight guard and slick footwork that keeps him out of danger. You always know what you’re getting with Zahabi. He’s consistent, he’s sharp, and he doesn’t deviate from his game plan. That kind of discipline wins rounds against guys who get too wild.
Vera, though, is a different kind of problem. He’s going to pressure, but he’s not reckless about it. He fights long and smart, using his kicks to control distance and build momentum. His body kicks in particular are going to be key here. They can force Zahabi to slow down or hesitate on entries. Vera’s striking accuracy is sneaky good, especially when he’s landing down the center line. Now his defense is suspect with no real head movement, and he’s easy to hit, but his chin and durability make up for it. The guy can take damage and keep walking forward, and that makes him hard to discourage.
What makes this matchup so close is the tempo it’s likely to be fought at. Vera will be the one moving forward, but Zahabi doesn’t mind backing up. He actually prefers countering and forcing guys to walk into his range. The issue for him is that to win rounds, he’s going to have to time those counters perfectly while managing distance against a longer opponent who’s throwing kicks from the outside. He won’t be the one pressuring, which means he has to close the distance on Vera without getting picked apart by those long kicks and straight shots.
That’s why this fight feels tight. Zahabi’s discipline and accuracy should help him edge it, but Vera’s length, body work, and pressure will keep it competitive the whole way through. The deciding factor might just come down to Zahabi’s consistency. He doesn’t make big mistakes, and over three rounds, that counts for a lot.