UFC 263: Israel Adesanya Defeats Vettori To Retain Middleweight Title

Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya has retained his Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight belt after defeating Italian contender, Marvin Vettori, at the Gila River Arena in Arizona on Sunday.

He won via a unanimous decision – (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).

It is the second time both fighters will be facing themselves in the UFC with Adesanya running out victorious via split decision in their first meeting in April 2018, which was the Nigerian’s second outing in the UFC franchise.

Both fighters have had heated conversations on social media and during press conferences but Adesanya says he is ready to defend his title and rule the middleweight division after failing to secure the light heavyweight title from Poland’s Jan Blachowicz last March.

He also promised to send the Italian to the floor in the second round.

Vettori attempted to make history early Sunday morning as he looks to dethrone Nigerian Israel Adesanya to become Italy’s first UFC titleholder.

Vettori, ranked third in the division, has won five straight bouts leading into this championship tussle.

Vettori is unofficially nicknamed “Angry Marvin” appropriately as he brings an aggressive, bar-room-brawling stand-up style to his fights. His footwork and movement are choppy, forcing him to rely on his power and belligerent forward pressure as opposed to any fluidity of movement or defensive evasiveness.

Adesanya entered the fight off a March loss to Blachowicz in a battle for Blachowicz’s light heavyweight title.