Tomorrow night in the main event of UFC 263, we will see a rematch for the middleweight title. The undisputed champion Israel Adesanya (20-1) returns to the middleweight division to take on a familiar foe in Marvin Vettori (17-4-1).
Back at UFC 259, Adesanya attempted to become a two-division world champion by moving up and challenging Jan Blachowicz. Ultimately, Blachowicz handed Adesanya his first professional loss and Adesanya came up short in his attempt to become a champ-champ.
Now, The Last Stylebender is returning to his home weight class where he’s been perfect. Nobody has ever defeated Adesanya at 185 pounds and that includes Marvin Vettori. The two previously met in the UFC back in early 2018.
Adesanya won a split decision and to this day, Vettori believes he won the fight. Since then, both men have gone on impressive streaks. Vettori has strung together five consecutive wins to earn this shot at UFC 263.
Stylebender won seven straight before he came up short against Blachowicz. During that stretch, Adesanya defeated the likes of Robert Whittaker, Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Derek Brunson, and Kelvin Gastelum. Simply put, Stylebender is one of the best that the UFC has to offer.
UFC 263 Prediction
When it comes to the main event at UFC 263, Adesanya is the betting favorite for a reason. While Marvin Vettori has been very impressive, he hasn’t gone on a streak like Adesanya. Adesanya has beaten the best of the best at 185 pounds.
That said, Jan Blachowicz did show some wrinkles in Adesanya’s game. The UFC middleweight champion is incredibly difficult to take down, but if you can get him down, he didn’t show a great ability to get back to his feet. Granted, he was fighting Jan Blachowicz and Marvin Vettori is not Jan Blachowicz.
That said, Marvin Vettori can take a few things away from that fight. If Vettori can pressure Stylebender and make this fight dirty, he can definitely create some close rounds. Is he good enough and can he do enough to win three out of five rounds?
I’m not convinced of that. I think this fight is going to be very competitive, but I think the UFC champion will have the bigger moments throughout. Adesanya really wants to finish this fight, but I think it goes the distance.
Prediction: Israel Adesanya by Unanimous Decision