Defending middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Marvin Vettori squared off in the main event of UFC 263 live on pay-per-view from Gila River Arena Glendale, AZ on Saturday, June 12 in the US, which made it Sunday, June 13 in the UK and Australia. In addition the pair met for the second time. Their first fight in April 2018 ended in split decision in favor of “The Last Stylebender.
The scheduled for five rounds championship bout went a full distance. Adesanya traditionally kept his distance throwing long kicks and punches. Vettori tried to rush forwarded and deliver strikes.
Vettori succeed to take Adesanya down in the third, but failed to secure a choke. At the end of the third round the fight was briefly stopped, as Vettori received an accidental low blow from Adesanya’s front kick.
In the end all three judges scored the fight 50-45 in favor of Adesanya.
Although there was no “touch gloves” at the beginning of the fight, afterwards it was all quite amicable.
With the win Israel Adesanya updates his record to 21-1 and makes the third successful defense of his 185-pound title. He also rebounds from the defeat suffered in his previous bout in March, when he went up a weight class and challenged reigning light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, yet fell short, dropping a unanimous decision.
In his next fight he is expected to face former champion Robert Whittaker in the championship rematch.
Marvin Vettori drops to 17-4-1 and suffers the second defeat against Adesanya. The defeat also snaps his five-fight win streak.
You can watch Israel Adesanya vs Marvin Vettori 2 full fight video highlights below.
Adesanya vs Vettori full fight video highlights
It’s time.
NO GLOVE TOUCH. #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/lmvLgRyjHB
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) June 13, 2021
Round 1.
The champ started to flow near the end of Round 1 ? @stylebender #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/AtntVkbACa
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 13, 2021
Round 2.
One of the finest strikers the Octagon has ever seen!
? @Stylebender showcasing the full range of his arsenal at #UFC263! pic.twitter.com/yFZgzQCkcB
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 13, 2021
Round 3.
HUGE takedown by @MarvinVettori in Round 3 ? #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/mqcSXkS6y1
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 13, 2021
WOW!!!! Cerca, pero no! #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/rXCxBwpmQk
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) June 13, 2021
Break between Round 3 and 4.
“You have to be more aggressive.”
? The message is clear in the Vettori corner after three. #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/XRdMvJuTdX
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 13, 2021
Round 4.
Significant strikes landed late in the round by @Stylebender… ? #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/Khy8RIMQjb
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 13, 2021
Round 5.
Israel Adesanya at the end ? #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/vbx0CQNvEI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 13, 2021
Decision.
#ANDSTILL ? @Stylebender is still the greatest middleweight on planet earth! #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/J2UZaLpQDv
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) June 13, 2021
Post-fight interview.
The king wants his arch-enemy on HOME TURF. ?
??? @Stylebender has called his shot with Whittaker…but he’ll let you know the date later. #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/Ju3jVIJls7
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 13, 2021
Get the full UFC 263: Adesanya vs Vettori 2 results and updates.
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