UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori shared his thoughts on Luke Rockhold’s return to the octagon.
Having remained out of action since his most recent loss to Jan Blachowicz in July 2019, Luke Rockhold will mark his return to the UFC this year. The former UFC middleweight champion snatched the belt from Chris Weidman before losing it in his next match to Michael Bisping.
Marvin Vettori backs Costa
For his first fight back, Rockhold has been matched up against former title challenger Paulo Costa. Rockhold will be returning after a three-year hiatus following two consecutive losses. Both fighters will be reeling off a couple of losses going into the bout with Costa having been the more active fighter.
Vettori took on Costa last October and won via a unanimous decision. In an interview with Helen Yee, ‘The Italian Dream’ revealed his pick for his former opponent’s next contest.
“I see Luke Rockhold losing the few brain cells that he has left in his brain. Just going to sleep badly for a few minutes. They’re two guys that their stock is not high right now. So, makes sense that they fight each other.”
Vettori was not surprised by Costa’s fight at 185
During the build-up to Marvin Vettori’s fight with Costa for UFC Fight Night 196, tensions were high between the pair as they trash-talked each other. The bout appeared to be in danger of collapsing due to Costa missing the agreed weight mark by a huge margin.
It seemed like Costa did not even try to make weight as he came in over 20 lbs heavier than the limit. Vettori agreed to continue the fight at catchweight and would make the event happen. UFC president Dana White had stated that Costa will not be allowed to compete at middleweight again.
With Costa’s next fight slated to be at 185-lbs, Vettori would be justified in feeling some sort of way. However, the 28-year-old i
“I knew that when you know like some time would’ve went by, he would’ve really promised them that he would’ve done 185 again. He would’ve took it seriously and all that, they might give him another chance. That’s what they did. That’s his business at the end of the day.”
Vettori claimed that Costa balloons up to a massive 250 lbs outside fight camp which would mean ‘Borrachinha’ would need to shed off 65-lbs to make the middleweight limit. While it can’t be verified as of yet, Costa has reportedly agreed to a fight at 185 against Rockhold.
