Marvin Vettori Has Fiery Message For Israel Adesanya, Following Win

If Israel Adesanya has closed the book on ever facing Marvin Vettori again, well, the middleweight contender is doing his part to keep it wide open. After all, not only did Vettori defeat top contender Jack Hermansson on Saturday, ‘The Italian Dream’ had a fiery message for the champ afterward.

Vettori lights up Adesanya during post-fight presser

Originally, Vettori was supposed to fight ‘Jacare’ Souza next weekend at UFC 256. But, when Kevin Holland tested positive for COVID-19, who was stepping in for the injured Darren Till at UFC Vegas 16, Vettori was moved into Saturday’s headliner.

Well, the 27-year-old made the most of his opportunity, as he out struck Hermansson by a 202 to 139 margin, en route to a unanimous decision win.

Vettori initially called for a fight with Paulo Costa. But, while speaking to the media at the post-fight presser, the rising fighter made it clear he wants a rematch with Adesanya next (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Before I called out ‘Borrachinha,’ but to be honest with you, (expletive) ‘Borrachinha.’ He just came out of a crazy loss. Why would I even fight him?” Vettori said.

“I want to go straight to the title, man. I’ll be honest, I like the fight, but I feel like the top five there’s no opposition. There’s no real opposition.

“(Jared) Cannonier just lost, Darren Till is – I don’t even think he’s top five – ‘Borrachinha’ just lost brutally and Jack was No. 4.

(Robert) Whittaker wants to just enjoy Christmas with his kids, but I don’t blame him it just doesn’t really seem like he wants to fight for the title.”

If you’re a big fan, you know what Vettori faced Adesanya back in April, 2018, in what was the latter’s second UFC bout. Vettori pushed the vaunted striker, but lost the fight via split decision.

So, while talking about the champ, Vettori had this fiery message.

“Israel is full of (expletive),” Vettori said. “He was like, ‘Oh, I don’t think I will ever see Marvin again, he will never will make it to the title.’

Well guess what mother(expletive)? I’m here. So, he thinks he has it all figured out. He has nothing figured out.

I know his true colors. I met him a few times. I fought him. I knew his true colors. I want that fight.”

Will Vettori get his wish?

You can understand why Vettori is campaigning for a title shot, and he should be credited for doing so. After all, he’s won four straight now and there’s certainly an interesting story line here for the UFC to work, in terms of the rematch angle.

But, by all indications, the UFC is still planning to move forward with a super fight between Adesanya and light heavyweight champ, Jan Blachowicz. Further, Hermansson is the first, top ranked fighter Vettori has defeated.

So, it’s very likely Vettori will get a call to fight another top contender like Costa or Till next.