Vettori says he plans to use the takedown game against Adesanya and teases: 'He's useless when he's on bottom'

I. Adesanya (left) and M. Vettori (right) already faced each other in 2018. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

After being made official as the next challenger for the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg),Marvin vettori you already know which 'path' you will take to defeat Israel adesanya No. UFC 263. Inspired by Jan Blachowicz, the Italian stated that he intends to use the takedown game against the champion and called the Nigerian 'useless' when he is on bottom. The statement was given in an interview with podcast "Real Quick with Mike Swick".

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“For me, the duel between Jan (Blachowicz) and Adesanya proved to me many things that I already knew. People imagined him as the (Floyd) Mayweather of MMA and he's not. Blachowicz did a great job and was able to take him down many times. People imagine it as a phenomenon. Israel is good but it is hittable, misses a lot of shots and can be taken down easily. I can do all of this,” said Vettori.

The Italian stated that he plans to use the takedown game as well as Jan Blachowicz and called the Nigerian 'useless' when he is on the bottom in a grappling fight.

“Against Jan (Blachowicz), the last time he was taken down, he kind of gave up. Adesanya is pretty useless on the ground to be honest. Because of his style of play and the way he fights, when you manage to take him down and he is on the bottom, Israel becomes very useless to be honest”, concluded the Italian.

No UFC 263 scheduled for June 12th, Israel adesanya and Martin Vettori will have their second opportunity to face off in the Octagon. In their first fight, in April 2018, the Nigerian won a split decision from the judges.

With a record of 17 wins, one defeat and one 'No Contest‘, Marvin vettori will have his first opportunity to compete for an Ultimate belt. Current number three in the middleweight rankings, the Italian has been on the back of five consecutive victories. In his last fight, the middleweight defeated Kevin holland by decision in April of this year.

After a failed attempt to win the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg), Adesanya returns to his home division. Middleweight leader since 2019, the Nigerian will be defending his fourth title in the under-83,9kg group. The fighter has a professional MMA record of 20 wins and just one loss.