Marvin Vettori believes Israel Adesanya’s reign at the top of the middleweight division is over.
After suffering a lopsided loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 297, ‘The Last Stylebender’ surrendered the 185-pound crown for the second time in less than a year.
Speaking with The Schmo ahead of his return to the Octagon next month, two-time Israel Adesanya opponent Marvin Vettori suggested that Izzy’s time as one of 185’s top dogs is coming to an end as the sport continues to evolve around him. In fact, ‘The Italian Dream’ believes that when Adesanya returns, he’ll fail to secure a win over any notable name in the division.
“Izzy will lose any fight,” Vettori said with confidence. “If he comes back, he’s not going to win any fight. I will tell you this. In the top three or four, he’s not gonna win any of those fights. I don’t think he’s going to beat Khamzat [Chimaev] either. He’s gonna get taken down, I think.
“They’re gonna tell me I’m a hater and sh*t, but it’s true. This game is evolving so fast. The grappling level is just evolving, getting higher and higher and he can’t hang. Taking a year off now, it’s a lot.”
Marvin Vettori says the game has evolved and Israel Adesanya will lose his comeback fight no matter who he fights:
“Izzy will lose any fight… if he comes back he’s not gonna win any fight. In the top 3-4 he’s not gonna win any fight.
I don’t think he’s gonna beat Khamzat… pic.twitter.com/RtrXUGfCtF
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 9, 2024
Marvin Vettori is Open to a Trilogy Fight with Israel Adesanya
Vettori has tussled with Adesanya on two separate occasions, the first going down at UFC on Fox 29 in April 2018. Vettori narrowly came up short on the scorecards, surrendering a split decision to the Nigerian who fights out of New Zealand. They would run it back three years later — this time for Adesanya’s middleweight title. The ‘Stylebender’ would go on to deliver a much more decisive performance, winning on all three judges’ scorecards.
Asked if he would be interested in a trilogy fight with Adesanya, Vettori was more than open to the opportunity.
“For sure. I ain’t gonna go anywhere. I’ll be around and I’ll get that shot before [long].”
But first, ‘The Italian Dream’ will have to deal with rising middleweight contender Brendan Allen. The two are scheduled to headline a UFC Fight Night event on April 6 with the winner inching themself one step closer to a shot at championship gold.
Watch the full interview below:
