UFC: Marvin Vettori demands Israel Adesanya rematch – ‘I’m next in line, I deserve it’
- ‘The Italian Dream’ asks for a seat next to UFC president Dana White for Whittaker vs Gastelum after record-breaking win over Kevin Holland
- Vettori, who lost a split decision to Adesanya in 2018, still believes he won the fight and claims Whittaker is ‘not that hungry’
UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori called for a rematch with champion Israel Adesanya after dominating Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 23 on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Italian (17-3-1), who beat late replacement Holland (21-7) via unanimous decision after securing a record-high 11 takedowns in a UFC middleweight fight, wanted an invitation from president Dana White to attend next week’s card headlined by former champion Robert Whittaker (23-5) and The Ultimate Fighter winner Kelvin Gastelum (17-6, one no contest).
“Five-win streak, accepting anybody at any time, always showing up, always making weight, never complaining about nothing. I just beat these guys very dominantly, I leave no doubt,” said “The Italian Dream” Vettori, who has won all five fights since a split decision loss to Nigerian-Kiwi Adesanya in 2018.
Adesanya has since dominated the division while Vettori has shown a late surge into title contention having beaten Jack Hermansson via unanimous decision last December and Karl Roberson via first-round submission last June.
“The last fight I had with Adesanya was the closest fight he’s ever had. [In] my eyes I still won and that has to be made again,” said Vettori, whose originally scheduled opponent Darren Till pulled out because of injury.