UFC: Israel Adesanya defeats Vettori to retain middleweight title
Nigerian-born UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has retained his Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight belt after defeating Italian fighter, Marvin Vettori.
Adesanya defeated Vettori in a unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) at the Gila River Arena in Arizona on Sunday.
The fight was the second time both fighters will be facing each other in the UFC, with Adesanya running out victorious through a split decision in their first meeting in April 2018.
Both fighters have had heated conversations during their press conferences before the encounter, but Adesanya says he is ready to defend his title.
Adesanya rules the middleweight division after failing to secure the light heavyweight title from Poland’s Jan Blachowicz last March.
The 31-year-old also promised to send Vettori to the floor in the second round.
Vettori attempted to make history early Sunday morning as he looked to dethrone Adesanya to become Italy’s first UFC titleholder.