Chito Vera finally has a result that changes the conversation. After four consecutive defeats, the Ecuadorian stopped Charles Jourdain and reached number 12 in the Meta UFC Rankings.
His third round finish restored momentum after a difficult stretch for the Manabí fighter. Meanwhile, the ranking update gives Ecuadorian supporters another reason to follow his next move. One victory cannot erase that difficult run, but it offers a clear starting point.
Chito Vera turns a difficult stretch into a ranking return
Vera defeated Jourdain on September 19 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Official UFC 331 results record a technical knockout through strikes, two minutes and two seconds into round three.
That result closed the preliminary card and ended a losing sequence stretching back to 2024. Previously, Sean O’Malley had beaten Vera in their bantamweight championship fight.
Defeats against Deiveson Figueiredo, Aiemann Zahabi and David Martinez followed that title challenge. Consequently, this appearance carried pressure beyond the usual demands of a ranked opponent.
CALLED OFF FROM JOURDAIN ❌
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 20, 2026
Chito Vera earns a massive win in R3!
[ #UFC331 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/FiRzaiMNbx
Jourdain arrived with three straight victories since moving into the 135-pound division. However, the Canadian could not maintain that momentum against a former title challenger seeking a response. For supporters in Chone and across Manabí, the emotional release needed little explanation. Vera knelt inside the octagon after securing his first victory since beating Pedro Munhoz in August 2023.
Still, the significance extends beyond celebration: he now has a recent finish to strengthen his position in the division.
The third-round stoppage changed the fight
A knockdown during the third round brought the contest to its decisive moment. Jourdain signaled that he could not continue, and referee Mike Beltran stopped the action.
Afterward, Jourdain explained that he experienced a loss of vision during that round. His account provides context for the stoppage, although it does not establish a medical diagnosis.
Meanwhile, the official result remains a TKO rather than a decision or submission. Vera therefore settled the contest before the judges could determine its outcome.
That distinction matters after a run of decision defeats. This time, the Ecuadorian produced the finish himself and removed any uncertainty over the scorecards.
A new corner gives Vera a different working environment
Before this bout, Vera ended his six-year coaching partnership with Jason Parillo. Instead, he joined the training group around Raúl Rosas Jr, with Raúl Rosas Sr directing his preparation.
UFC’s pre-fight profile described a camp featuring accomplished grapplers alongside established mixed martial artists. Moreover, Vera discussed the change as a fresh chapter after his difficult results.
One performance cannot isolate exactly how much a coaching switch contributes. However, the finish gives his new team something concrete to build upon.
Preparation now has a successful fight behind it. The next challenge involves repeating that performance against another opponent who will study this comeback closely.
Marlon “Chito” Vera found his son in the crowd after getting back in the win column at #UFC331. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/5CbYmJwWsv
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 20, 2026
What the Meta ranking update means
UFC’s official rankings list now places the Ecuadorian twelfth among bantamweight contenders. Meanwhile, Ecuadorian outlet StudioFútbol reports that this marks his first appearance in the new system.
That claim needs a distinction between ranking formats. Before the fight, UFC coverage placed Vera tenth in the media rankings but outside the Meta list.
Therefore, Chito Vera entering this table differs from entering UFC rankings for the first time. His earlier title challenge already established his history among the division’s leading names.
Con una victoria Chito Vera hizo su momento 🇪🇨#CryptoCom #UFC331 | Ve mas en Paramount + Deportes pic.twitter.com/tRmHWB5gkn
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) September 20, 2026
UFC and Meta introduced their ranking system in June 2026. According to their announcement, its approach considers results, opponent strength, winning method, recent performance and inactivity.
For example, defeating stronger opposition carries more weight than beating a lower-ranked rival. Recent performances also matter more than older results within that framework.
However, a ranking measures competitive standing rather than guaranteeing a particular booking. Matchmaking still requires an opponent, an agreement and an available date.
We’re still not over that performance from Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. 🇪🇨🤩 #UFC331
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) September 20, 2026
The Ecuadorean runs back the clock to record his first win in over 3 years. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/c6BzVdYwKS
Why this victory carries weight
The Vera vs Jourdain matchup offered more than a chance to stop a losing streak. Jourdain had built momentum against Victor Henry, Davey Grant and Kyler Phillips at bantamweight.
Consequently, Vera beat an opponent with recent evidence of success in the division. A stoppage also supplied a clear finishing result for the statistical assessment.
Nevertheless, number 12 represents a recovery point rather than an immediate title claim. Fighters above him still hold stronger positions in the latest table.
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