UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori is set to take on former champion Robert Whittaker this weekend. He’s already looking past Whittaker, however, to another title challenge. Although he failed to capture the UFC middleweight title last time he faced Israel Adesanya, Vettori is confident in his hopes of getting another shot at the belt.
With Adesanya set to face his old foe Alex Pereira next, Vettori was not subtle in declaring his hopes for that fight’s outcome: he wants Pereira to win via a knockout so severe it sends Adesanya out “in another oxygen mask”.
Marvin Vettori Hopes Adesanya “Goes Out in another Oxygen Mask” vs Pereira
Vettori, speaking at the pre-fight media day, made reference to the last time Adesanya fought Alex Pereira, back in their GLORY kickboxing days. Alex Pereira knocked Adesanya out cold, leaving him stiff on the canvas. Vettori wants to see a repeat so he can face Pereira next, rather than enduring a rematch with Israel Adesanya.
“I want Pereira to win just because it would excite me more as the next challenger, eventually. And I think that will happen because after this, I’m going to establish myself as the No. 1 contender. I mean, what’s left for me? I’ve pretty much fought everybody, and I think it will be undeniable, another title shot with a great performance against Whittaker.
Adesanya, it’s over. Nothing excites me about that guy. Of course, I’ll get my win against him before I’m done with all this, but the things that he can do best – now he’s painting his nails. I definitely like more Pereira and the way he carries himself and the way he goes about fighting and all that – not much bullsh*t, just straight, bad motherf*cker type of thing, and that’s it.
I really hope he goes out in another oxygen mask, and I think it can happen, because that’s going to be a kickboxing fight.”
Vettori’s most recent fight since his loss to Adesanya was a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa. Before that, Vettori rode a five-fight win streak, including victories over such luminaries as Kevin Holland and Jack Hermansson, to his title shot.
Marvin Vettori’s last loss before the Israel Adesanya fight was back in 2018 – to Israel Adesanya. With “The Last Stylebender” facing the middleweight elite for rematches rather than facing fresh blood, Vettori is likely not alone in hoping to see the champ go down.
Do you think we’ll see the Stylebender starched once more? Let us know in the comments.
