LAS VEGAS – Marvin Vettori has no doubts he’s the most deserving contender available for a UFC middleweight title fight.
Vettori (17-4-1 MMA, 7-2-1 UFC) extended his winning streak to five fights on Saturday, when he beat Kevin Holland (21-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC) by unanimous decision in the UFC on ABC 2 main event. It was lopsided fight, with “The Italian Dream” winning every round on the scorecards.
Prior to the fight, Vettori made it clear he felt a win would put him next in line to challenge champion Israel Adesanya, who he fought to a split decision at UFC on FOX 29 in April 2018.
Now, Vettori has no doubts that’s the fight to make.
“Five-win streak, I’ve accepted anybody at any time, always showing up, always making weight, never complaining about nothing, and I just beat these guys very dominantly,” Vettori told reporters, including MMA Junkie, post-fight at UFC on ABC 2. “I leave no doubt. The last fight I had with Adesanya was the closest fight that he’s ever had, and in my eyes I still won it. It has to be made again.
“I’m next in line, and I deserve it. I was supposed to fight Darren Till. He didn’t how up. Now he’s out. I’m the most hungry, and I’m next. The winning streak that I’ve had, all my opponents have been solid. I’m next.”
Vettori said he would ideally rematch Adesanya in September or October. His dream scenario would be for that fight to take place in his native Italy in front of a full crowd, but he’s not picky about that. He just wants the opportunity.
The nature of his win over Holland may serve as a hurdle to securing the championship fight he wants, though. Although he left no doubts about who was the superior fighter, Vettori’s wrestling-heavy approach left some viewers unenthusiastic.
Vettori, ultimately, doesn’t care what his critics have to say. He said the fight didn’t meet his own standards, but given the fact Holland was a different opponent than the one he prepared for throughout most of his camp in Till, he said he won’t be too hard on himself.
“I expect perfection,” Vettori said. “I expect me going out and breaking the guy. Sometimes I fall a little bit short of my expectations, but even still, that short is still a great performance, a very dominant performance.”
Marvin Vettori stumps for title shot after UFC on ABC 2: ‘I’m next’
