After getting his start competing in the TV series The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, Chito Vera made his debut in the UFC in 2014. Nearly a decade later, the fighter has established himself as a powerful force to be reckoned with in the league’s bantamweight category.
Currently, Vera lives in Newport Beach, California, where he trains for his next bout. On Saturday, March 9, he’s set to face off against Sean O’Malley in a fight for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Vera previously won against O’Malley in 2020 via TKO. The moment was a highlight of Vera’s career and marked O’Malley’s first and only professional loss to date.
“Fight days are very interesting days for fighters,” Vera says. “You wake up and you’re like, whoa. It’s crazy, everything is coming through your head.”
When he’s not in the octagon, the fighter also has a penchant for collecting – mainly cars, sneakers and clothing. Among his favorite brands are Supreme and New Balance. Vera is also a major fan of Aimé Leon Dore, introduced to the brand by his close friend Action Bronson, and notes he “probably has every shoe” from them.
As he’s approaching the “biggest fight of his career,” Vera stays in the gym year round and any free time is dedicated to his family. That day’s session kicks off with the fighter hitting the pads. Reflecting on his growth, Vera recalls how he used to fight as a teenager, an energy he now channels into his career.
“I would fight in the streets nonstop. When someone would punch or push my friend, I was the first guy swinging,” he says of his childhood.
“I love to fight. When you land that sweet first punch, it’s almost like you can see their soul and it’s a pretty f***ing good feeling.”
Watch the full Hypebeast Diaries with Chito Vera above.
