UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya cruised to victory over Marvin Vettori as he retained his undisputed 185-pound title in the main event of UFC 263 in Glendale, Arizona.
The pair had previously met, when Adesanya claimed a split-decision victory over Vettori in April 2018 in the Nigerian-born Kiwi’s second UFC bout.
But in Saturday night’s rematch Adesanya, 31, showed his class with a virtuoso performance as he picked apart the Italian over the full five-round championship duration at the Gila River Arena.
Sports Illustrated reported that it was a striking clinic by Adesanya, and though Vettori (17-5-1) was able to score take-downs, he could not capitalize.
Ten minutes into the fight, the Nigerian succeeded in wearing out his opponent pummeling his right leg and pounding him with leg kicks.
A fatigued Vettori failed to adjust and Adesanya’s low calf kick proved vicious.
Although the Italian attempted to use a similar game plan deployed by Jan Blachowicz against Adesanya, he just doesn’t have the size or strength.
A rather impressive moment occurred during the fourth round, as Adesanya flipped a Vettori takedown. As the fight progressed, this was a clinic by Adesanya, who showed how much he has evolved as a fighter. And he re-enters the win column, clearly defeating a talented opponent in Vettori.