Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori at their 2018 weigh-ins (MMA Fighting)
Marvin Vettori is set to take on Israel Adesanya this weekend at UFC 263
‘The Italian Dream’ Marvin Vettori will be looking forward to becoming the first Italian in history to become a UFC champion, when he takes on Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 263.
Vettori who has never been finished in his entire MMA career, will be backing his impeccable ground game to counter the precise striking of his Nigerian opponent.
He is coming off a clinical performance against Kevin Holland, earlier this year, in April, executing a record 11 takedowns (middleweight record).
Vettori has a history with Adesanya as well since the pair met at UFC on Fox: Poirier vs Gaethje in April 2018. Adesanya managed to win the fight via. a narrow split decision, after two judges scored in favour of the Last Stylebender.
Having arrived in Arizona, the fighters are currently in their allotted hotel. In a recent UFC 263 embedded series released by the UFC, Adesanya can be seen catching up with Vettori at the hotel lobby.
In a small banter, Vettori tells Adesanya that he doesn’t have a belt after Izzy asks him if he’s got a Gucci belt on him.
Vettori then jokingly warns Adesanya that he was coming for his belt on Saturday.
“I’m about get mine. I’m getting yours brother. Yeah, I’m getting yours my brother [after Izzy says he wouldn’t]. I’m getting yours my friend.”
Marvin Vettori hasn’t lost since his first outing against Israel Adesanya. Since then, he has gone on to beat the likes of Jack Hermansson, and Kevin Holland recently.
And in the majority of the games, he has dominated his opponents on the ground. 4 of his last 5 wins have been via. unanimous decision.
Given Adesanya’s weakness on the ground, the fight will be a matchup of contrasting styles.
‘The Italian Dream’ will be aiming to cause a major upset despite being the clear underdog.
Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates
