UFC’s No. 7-ranked bantamweight contender, Marlon Vera, recently found himself in a life-threatening situation right outside his home in California. ‘Chito’ last stepped into the Octagon in August 2024 at UFC on ABC 7, where Deiveson Figueiredo handed him his second consecutive loss. However, what fight fans remember most is his title bout against former champion Sean O’Malley at UFC 299 in March 2024.

While that fight didn’t go his way, Marlon Vera’s toughest battle came outside the cage when he returned home to Irvine, California, and discovered someone had broken into his house. Outraged, he took to Instagram, writing, “The f*ing a–hole that broke into my home—I’m gonna find you.” Since then, there have been no reports on whether Vera ever caught the intruder or filed a police complaint.

Fast forward nearly a year, and Marlon Vera found himself in another alarming encounter. In a viral video uploaded by the MMA Instagram page Left Hook Club, Vera was seen fixing his car when a knife-wielding thief entered his property. Reacting instantly, the Ecuador export grabbed a gun from his car and aimed it at the intruder, stopping the potential robbery before it could escalate.

The footage sparked widespread debate among fans. While many applauded Marlon Vera’s quick reaction, others voiced concerns over his safety. Some skeptics even speculated that the incident might have been staged as a publicity stunt. As the Californian resident gears up for his return to the Octagon this May at UFC Des Moines, where he is set to take on Mario Bautista at the Wells Fargo Arena in Iowa, he is determined to get back in the win column. However, with this latest incident raising questions, fans are left wondering—will it affect his mindset heading into the fight? Let’s take a look at their reactions.

Fans called the latest robbery attempt on Marlon ‘fake’

Irvine, California, known for having the lowest crime rate in America, also holds the title for the lowest per capita violent crime rate among cities with populations exceeding 250,000, according to FBI reports over the past 18 years. However, recent events involving UFC fighter Marlon Vera have raised concerns. Last year, his home was broken into, and now, with newly released CCTV footage showing an attempted robbery, fans are questioning the legitimacy of the situation. One fan voiced concern, commenting, “Bro needs to move out of that neighborhood. Didn’t his house also get robbed during his fight with O’Malley?”

Some fans, however, are skeptical of the CCTV footage, with one asking, “Is this real?” while others deemed it “set up” or “fake,” casting doubt on the authenticity of the incident. Despite Marlon Vera’s reputation in MMA as someone who doesn’t engage in pranks or jokes, there are fans who remain unconvinced. One remarked, “Right before he has a big fight coming up? Too convenient.” The incident also drew parallels to ‘Chito’s upcoming bout against Mario Bautista in May.

By aiming a gun at the trespasser, the Ecuador export now finds himself in a situation similar to UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland, who in November 2023, was involved in his own viral incident, where he confronted a trespasser with a gun on his porch. Later, it was revealed that the man had been fleeing from security after assaulting a girl while intoxicated.

Many fans now wonder if Marlon Vera’s latest encounter is a similar attempt to garner attention, with some suggesting it could be “staged.” The online reactions have been divided, with one fan commenting, “He should’ve let off two good times,” suggesting ‘Chito’ should have taken further action.

However, after seeing Vera’s gun, the alleged thief fled the scene. Under California state law, it’s illegal to fire at someone in the back as they flee, but if the incident had taken place inside the home, the California resident would have been protected under the “castle doctrine,” which permits using force to defend oneself in one’s residence.

What’s your opinion on the situation? After watching the video of Marlon Vera’s confrontation with the thief, do you think it was just a publicity stunt, or did something genuinely happen on that random Saturday morning? Feel free to share your thoughts below.