Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya has retained his Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight belt after defeating Italian contender, Marvin Vettori, at the Gila River Arena in Arizona on Sunday.

He won via a unanimous decision – 50-45, 50-45, 50-45.

The win is Adesanya’s third title defence after losing to Jan Blachowicz in a bid to add the light heavyweight title to his laurels.

Adesanya showed improvements on his groundwork as he expertly untangled himself from all of Vettori’s takedowns.

Renowned as one of the best strikers in the division, the 31-year-old landed several leg shots and jabs as he dimmed Vettori’s dream of becoming the first Italian UFC champion.

It is the second time both fighters faced themselves in the UFC with Adesanya running out victorious via split decision in their first meeting in April 2018, which was the Nigerian’s second outing in the UFC franchise.

Both fighters have had heated conversations on social media and during press conferences but Adesanya had said he was ready to defend his title and rule the middleweight division after failing to secure the light heavyweight title from Poland’s Jan Blachowicz last March.

He earlier promised to send the Italian to the floor in the second round but the fight ended at Round five.

Vettori attempted to make history early Sunday morning as he looks to dethrone Nigerian Israel Adesanya to become Italy’s first UFC titleholder.

Vettori, ranked third in the division, has won five straight bouts leading into this championship tussle.

Vettori is unofficially nicknamed “Angry Marvin” appropriately as he brings an aggressive, bar-room-brawling stand-up style to his fights. His footwork and movement are choppy, forcing him to rely on his power and belligerent forward pressure as opposed to any fluidity of movement or defensive evasiveness.

Adesanya entered the fight off a March loss to Blachowicz in a battle for Blachowicz’s light heavyweight title.

jamoscofield:
So sad he won. I placed Vettori to win fa. 4.00odd thinking he's gonna be wrestled the way JAN did but I was disappointed. My 100K �. It's all good sha. So what's next for IZZY. I wish Kamaru can move up to challenge him. Let it be a fight to honour BUBU outta ASO rock.

Scofield has spoken

Tookool:
I won 2 million naira from that fight

DonBenny77:

Bros find me 10k, abeg

Tookool:
I won 2 million naira from that fight

Gullah:

Lol, it's good you lost your money, next time you'll learn never to bet against stylebender. I haven't seen anyone that can beat him in that middleweight division. At least not yet, the closest challenge he can have is from Robert Whittaker and I think Israel is still too far superior to him in terms of striking abilities. Don't forget the lesson, NEVER bet against stylebender in a middleweight division fight.

Fahdiga1:
Nigeria to the world

Tookool:
I won 2 million naira from that fight

jamoscofield:
So sad he won. I placed Vettori to win fa. 4.00odd thinking he's gonna be wrestled the way JAN did but I was disappointed. My 100K �. It's all good sha. So what's next for IZZY. I wish Kamaru can move up to challenge him. Let it be a fight to honour BUBU outta ASO rock.

paulolee:

Mk I still send my gtb aza or u still get am for ur fone?

DonBenny77:

Bros find me 10k, abeg

jamoscofield:
So sad he won. I placed Vettori to win fa. 4.00odd thinking he's gonna be wrestled the way JAN did but I was disappointed. My 100K �. It's all good sha. So what's next for IZZY. I wish Kamaru can move up to challenge him. Let it be a fight to honour BUBU outta ASO rock.