The rematch many have been waiting for is finally going to happen this coming Saturday, as Israel Adesanya takes on Marvin Vettori — again. Adesanya barely escaped with a win the first time the two met inside the Octagon. This time, he will be aiming at a more dominant victory, though that should be easier said than done against the streaking Vettori. Check out our preview of this fight below.
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Betting Preview for the Israel Adesanya vs Marvin Vettori Middleweight Bout at UFC 263 on June 12, 2021
Where: Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona
When: Saturday, June 12, 2021
Odds: Israel Adesanya (-260) vs. Marvin Vettori (+200)
TV Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Betting on Israel Adesanya (-260)
MMA Record: 20-1-0
After an unsuccessful try to win a belt in the light heavyweight division, the man they call the Last Stylebender will be moving back down to the division he’s feared the most. Adesanya challenged Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title last March, but he fell short of his goal, losing to the champion via unanimous decision. That was the first professional loss of Adesanya, but again, that was in a division he’s obviously not built for — at least for now. The last time he defended his middleweight title, though, he dominated Paulo Costa in September 2020 wherein he scored a knockout victory just two rounds into the fight. Fighting Vettori again, Adesanya will look to use his six-inch reach advantage over the Italian Dream. When he defeated Vettori in 2018 via split decision, Adesanya was the more efficient striker, as he landed 46 percent of his significant strikes to just 29 percent by Vettori. Lots have changed for these two fighters in the years since that fight, but that reach remains the same, and that’s going to be a huge asset for Adesanya who is still regarded as one of the best strikers in the business. Remember, Adesanya has 15 knockout wins and he hasn’t been knocked out yet.
Betting on Marvin Vettori (+200)
MMA Record: 17-4-1
Adesanya has become the Michael Jordan of the middleweight division. Vettori, meanwhile, can be compared to the flu that famously tried to slow MKJ down. TRIED. Vettori gave Adesanya lots of problems in their first meeting, nearly pulling off an upset win. Since then, Vettori has stitched together five wins in a row — four via unanimous decisions and one through submission. In his last fight, Vettori dominated Kevin Holland in five rounds just last April. Vettori constantly threw Holland to the ground, as he recorded 11 takedowns. His ground game will be key for him against Adesanya, whom he took down twice before. To negate Adesanya’s reach advantage, Vettori will be keen on bringing the fight to the canvas and that’s not some kind of a secret that Adesanya has no idea of. Vettori still needs to get to Adesanya and apply pressure, using his frame to try and bully the champion. It’s not going to be easy to do, but then again, he had success in putting Adesanya to the mat. Vettori also landed 19 leg kicks out of 24 attempts in his first showdown with Adesanya. If he’s become better with his kicks, that could spell trouble for The Stylebender.
Writer’s Prediction
Adesanya wins via knockout.
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