Marvin Vettori explains bad blood with Andrew Sanchez after UFC Tampa win

TAMPA, Fla. – Marvin Vettori beat Andrew Sanchez with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN+ 19 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Take a look inside the fight with Vettori, who won for the third time in four fights – with the lone loss coming to new middleweight champion Israel Adesanya by split decision.

Result: Marvin Vettori def. Andrew Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Vettori (14-3-1 MMA, 4-2-1 UFC), Sanchez (11-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC)
Key stat: Vettori outstruck Sanchez 86-39.

Vettori on the fight’s key moment

“I have the best people around me at Kings MMA. It’s not just the technique, but also the energy – I’m becoming a true martial artist. I need to find a way to finish fights, but I feel like I am putting on dominant performances, so I just have to keep going and it will come.”

Vettori on the bad blood with Sanchez

“I was a little pissed with him because I stepped in as a replacement to fight him in Canada (at UFC on ESPN+ 13 in September). It wasn’t really a fight that did a lot for me, and then he pulls out three days before. I had friends and family from Italy who came to see me, my coaches put in a lot of work – so I was mad. He also talked a lot of trash, so I wanted to show a lot in this fight and prove to him that I am better – and I did that.”

Vettori on what he wants next

“That’s two wins in a row now, and before that I fought Israel – and he’s the champ now. It was a super close fight (against Adesanya). Many even said I won. So I’ve had some ups and downs, but I’m finding my stride now. Even my first eight or so fights, half of those guys are in the top 15 or former top 15 now, I feel. I’ve never had easy fights, but it’s been a great learning curve and now I’m on the right path.”

To hear more from Vettori, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.