The card featured 15 grappling and bare-knuckle boxing bouts, with knockouts, submissions, and a few surprise results along the way, with 1xBet serving as title sponsor of the event.
Covington pulls out, Rangel steps in
One of the fights fans had been looking forward to was Colby Covington, the former interim UFC champion, against Ecuadorian newcomer Mayton Perea. Perea had earned his long-awaited contract after a recent 45-second knockout, and the fight with a decorated name like Covington was set to be a serious test ahead of his debut.
Covington was unable to compete, so organizers had to find a replacement on short notice to keep the bout on the card. Juan Albarello Rangel, a fighter from Guayaquil, took the fight, catching Perea in a foot lock and forcing the tap after only 2 minutes and 19 seconds, one of the biggest upsets of the night.
Vera vs Aldo: the rematch Quito waited for
The main attraction was the rematch between Marlon “Chito” Vera and José Aldo. Around six years earlier, the Brazilian had beaten Vera in the UFC; this time, Vera was fighting at home for the first time since 2012, and he walked out carrying the Ecuadorian flag to cumbia music while the crowd chanted his name.
The bout was fought under submission-only grappling rules with a ten-minute limit, where takedowns and ground control earned no points. Vera pushed to take the fight to the ground many times, but Aldo defended well and kept things under control.
The tensest moment came when Vera locked in a dangerous heel hook and had a real shot at finishing the fight. Aldo stayed calm under pressure and escaped before the submission could be completed. With no tap-out after ten minutes, the fight was ruled a draw, and the two fighters shared an embrace afterward.
Vera called fighting in front of his home crowd a dream come true, with his next goal being bigger: bringing a UFC event to Ecuador.
HYPE Fighting’s first show in Quito delivered memorable fights and unexpected results, with title sponsor and main partner 1xBet supporting the event, as fans are already looking forward to the promotion’s next show.
