Marvin Vettori can’t be sure a title shot awaits him following a win in the UFC Vegas 16 main event, but he’s sending a strong message to Israel Adesanya that his days as middleweight champion are numbered.
Almost exactly one year before he first tasted gold, Adesanya engaged in arguably the closest fight of his UFC career when he battled to a split decision with Vettori in 2018. The judging that night never sat right with the 27-year-old Italian and he’s been committed to earning a rematch with Adesanya ever since.
After pleading with the UFC to give him a top-ranked opponent, Vettori made the most of the opportunity by earning a unanimous decision over Jack Hermansson this past weekend.