UFC free fight: Marvin Vettori defeats Jack Hermansson in slugfest

Marvin Vettori fully capitalized on arguably his biggest opportunity to date.

Vettori stepped in on just a week’s notice to face top contender Jack Hermansson in the main event of UFC on ESPN 19, which took place Dec. 5 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Vettori found a home for his left hand early, keeping Hermansson on his back foot. He landed a big one-two combo that dropped Hermansson, but the “Joker” was able to survive. Vettori continued to pour it on in Round 2, stuffing a Hermansson takedown and sweeping him to wind up in top position for the majority of the round.

Hermansson started to turn the tide a little on the visibly tired Vettori, pressuring him and mixing things up to the body well. But Vettori swung the momentum back in his favor by outpointing Hermansson in Rounds 4 and 5, earning the unanimous decision win.

Vettori (16-3-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) returns to action Saturday when he takes on short-notice replacement Kevin Holland (21-6 MMA, 8-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ABC 2, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Before he faces Holland, relive Vettori’s war with Hermansson in the video above.