There’s no denying Marlon Vera is the most impactful MMA fighter to come out of Ecuador. Not only is he the most popular fighter from the country, but he’s also a pioneer and was for many years the only figure in the big leagues of MMA.

Well, that’s recently starting to change, and in some ways, due to the work “Chito” has put in.

Aaron Cañarte, a 26-year-old unbeaten prospect from Ecuador, is making his debut for ONE Championship this Friday at ONE Fight Night 12 in Bangkok, Thailand. He takes on another undefeated fighter in Akbar Abdullaev.

This is a huge step for Cañarte (10-0 MMA), who’s been looking to join a major promotion. Part of this was influenced by Vera, who motivated Cañarte to leave Ecuador and find a new home in Entram Gym in Tijuana.

“I think ‘Chito’ motivated many fighters,” Cañarte told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “He motivated me and others to take the step and not stay stuck in our country. He motivated us to go out and look to improve, to step outside of our comfort and look at things a different way, a bit more professional.

“When you leave Ecuador, you truly see that you’re not working in the best way. You see that in other places you have your physical trainer, your nutritionist, and you do things more professionally. In Ecuador, I didn’t do things well. I basically would only train once a day, and I didn’t really watch what I ate. I didn’t know how to work in the professional way that I do now. When you step out of your comfort zone and leave your country, you realize the work that’s being done abroad.”

In 2021, Cañarte and now-UFC fighter Michael Morales packed their bags and headed to Tijuana, Mexico in hopes to further their MMA career. They would eventually find a home in Entram Gym and continue their careers under that banner.

“MMA in Ecuador has grown a lot in these past few years,” Cañarte said. “We see that there are now several representatives doing good work. I left with Michael (Morales) on the same day to Tijuana and look at him now, he’s on his third fight in the UFC, and I’m about to debut in ONE Championship. I think we’re doing things well, fighting for our dreams abroad. We’re doing things well.”

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Cañarte didn’t expect Singapore-based MMA company ONE Championship to reach out, but he’s happy with the opportunity to bring the Ecuadorian flag to a promotion that has little Hispanic representation.

“Yeah, I was waiting for a Dana White Contender Series spot or a UFC call,” Cañarte said. “I never thought that I was going to get the call for ONE Championship. I was surprised by that, but I took it. I didn’t hesitate in taking it. It’s a good opportunity for my career.”

“… I’ve been waiting already for the opportunity to enter one of the major promotions and my coach Raul Arvizu contacted me, saying that ONE Championship was in search of Latin talent. And since I’m on a solid run and coming off stoppage wins by submission and knockout, they contacted him, and they gave me the offer. I spoke to Raul and without thinking it through much I took it because for me, it’s a big challenge, and it’s a dream for me to be in a promotion that’s known worldwide.”