The rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori could be one of the most intense rivalries of this particular year. The middleweight behemoths will collide in the headliner of UFC 263 for the divisional gold.

This will be a rematch from 2018, where Adesanya narrowly got the better of Vettori via a split decision. This time though, the stakes are high as Adesanya is defending his gold and Vettori will aim to become the first Italian to get a grasp on a UFC title.

Prior to his fight, Vettori spared some of his time and appeared in an interview. Just retired UFC fighter, Paul Felder recollected the time when Vettori had said his rivalry with Adesanya would likely be hashed out after their fight, but he won’t be friends with Adesanya. He also further asked Vettori what drives him so crazy about Adesanya.

‘The Italian Dream’ replied, “He’s fake. It doesn’t drive me crazy. He’s just fake. He’s just a fake guy. I don’t like fakeness. There’s too much fakeness in this world nowadays.”

“I stand by the opposite. I stand for the opposite values. Like, this is fake. He believed into his own, like, into his own fake story. And his whole character, his whole story, is fake.”

He added, “Everything about him is fake, you know. And I can’t stand that.”

READ MORE: Marvin Vettori Says He Wants to ‘Eat Israel Adesanya Alive’ and Look Into His Soul

Marvin Vettori: journey after the loss against Adesanya

It’s not often the case when a fighter loses a close fight and bounces back in a fashion that could be termed impressive. Vettori is one of those fighters who come under the ‘not often’ category.

After narrowly becoming the first man to defeat Adesanya in the middleweight division, he has notched up another level since that fight. He is unbeaten in his last 5 fights which include impressive victories against the likes of Karl Roberson and Jack Hermansson.

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Vettori will be up against a much improved and deadlier Adesanya though, and this fight could be the biggest ever of his career. He sure must be ready.

WATCH THIS STORY: Israel Adesanya: top 5 best finishes of his career