UFC 263 Results: Israel Adesanya Proves He Is Best In The World

All of the key elements were in place for UFC 263 to be the downfall of Israel Adesanya.

He didn’t let that happen.

Adesanya dominated Marvin Vettori for 25 minutes and five rounds, sweeping all three scorecards and all five rounds to retain his middleweight title Saturday night. 

In a rematch between the two, it was Adesanya showing just how far he has come since that first encounter. Using his incredible speed and defense, “The Last Stylebender” controlled the pace of the bout from start to finish.

After failing to dethrone Jan Blachowicz at light heavyweight, it was just the kind of performance Adesanya needed to bounce back and prove why he is the best middleweight in the world.

In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno gained a measure of revenge and the UFC flyweight title in the process, submitting Deiveson Figueiredo. The two battled to a majority draw in the first encounter, but this time around, Moreno went after Figueiredo to makes sure no scorecards would be needed.

Leon Edwards and Nate Diaz met in the first five-round non-main event fight in UFC history. The returning Diaz showed signs of life early and late, but Edwards handled business between and earned the decision.

Belal Muhammad bested Demian Maia and Paul Craig topped Jamahal Hill. 

On the prelims, Brad Riddell, Eryk Anders, Lauren Murphy, Movsar Evloev, Pannie Kianzad, Terrance McKinney, Steven Peterson, Fares Ziam and Carlos Felipe were all winners.

McKinney, making his Octagon debut, scored a seven-second finish of Matt Frevola to highlight the early action.

Riddell and Drew Dober took home “Fight of the Night” with Moreno and Craig earning “Performance of the Night” bonuses.