The UFC is in the process of finalizing a middleweight title matchup for their June PPV. Combate was the first to report that the promotion was getting close to booking Israel Adesanya (20-1) against Marvin Vettori (17-4-1). Dana White hinted that the UFC was heading in this direction this week.
The rematch between these two will take place on June 12th and it will be the headliner of UFC 263. Originally, the promotion wanted Robert Whittaker (23-5) to be the one to face off against Adesanya on June 12th. However, Whittaker wanted a little more time before his rematch with Adesanya.
With Vettori ready to go, the UFC shifted gears to the next man in line. The Italian Dream has now won five fights in a row since his loss to Adesanya. Something that will get brought up in the buildup to UFC 263 is their first matchup. Adesanya won the fight by split decision, however, Vettori is adamant that he won the fight.
For the record, I believe the right man won that night. Both have been extremely successful since their first matchup and both are much more polished now. Marvin Vettori is going to go after Israel Adesanya at UFC 263 with ever intention on capturing the middleweight title.
UFC middleweight return for Stylebender
UFC 263 will mark the middleweight return of Israel Adesanya. Back in March, Adesanya moved to light heavyweight to try and become a two-division champion. However, he ultimately fell short and suffered his first career loss at the hands of Jan Blachowicz.
Adesanya took the loss extremely well and he seems motivated to defend his UFC title. Nobody in the middleweight division has been able to stop Adesanya. Since joining the promotion back in 2018, Adesanya is a perfect 9-0 in the UFC’s middleweight division.
Make no mistake about it, Adesanya is the best middleweight in the sport. However, Marvin Vettori could use a strategy that Jan Blachowicz used at UFC 259. Vettori just showed against Kevin Holland that he can lean on his wrestling. In fact, he did that in the first matchup. Adesanya will be the massive favorite, but there is a path for The Italian Dream.