Kevin Holland, Michael Bisping, and Other MMA Fighters Pick Israel Adesanya vs Marvin Vettori 2 Winner

Published 06/01/2021, 5:30 AM EDT

UFC 263 will feature one of the most exciting cards of the year with three five-round fights. Israel Adesanya will meet Marvin Vettori in a rematch for the Middleweight title in the main event. The co-main event spot has been occupied by another rematch of the night. Deiveson Figueiredo will take on Brandon Moreno for the second time after the draw at UFC 256.

The third battle will feature Nate Diaz, who will take on the number 3 ranked Welterweight Leon Edwards. This is a crucial match for both fighters and fans are hoping to see a typical hardcore match. Demian Maia will enter the octagon yet again to face Belal Muhammad in the Welterweight division. The final fight is a Light Heavyweight clash between Paul Craig and Jamahal Hill.

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As the exchange between Adesanya and Vettori inches closer, many fighters are predicting the main event, in an interview with Helen Yee.

Fighters predict the main event between Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori

Former Middleweight champion Luke Rockhold picked ‘The Last Stylebender’ over ‘The Italian Dream’, believing that Israel Adesanya is a superior striker and has a great takedown defense. Therefore, Rockhold doesn’t think Vettori can pull off a win over his former opponent. He also criticized ‘The Italian Dream’ over his last performance against Kevin Holland.

Luke Rockhold said “I think it’s hard to go against Israel in this fight. I think he’s got better takedown defense than a lot of the guys that Marvin goes up to against, honestly. I didn’t even see the Kevin Holland fight, but I heard he was getting pieced up on the feet and he had to get his takedowns and I heard it wasn’t that exciting. So that being said, I mean, maybe he pulls off a very boring win, but I’d see Israel taking it.”

Brendan Schaub, the former UFC Heavyweight, also gave his prediction on the main event, saying, “I don’t think Marvin Vettori has the same pedigree as Jan. So I think it’s gonna be a good night for Izzy.”

Kevin Holland, the former opponent of both Adesanya and Vettori, also picked ‘The Last Stylebender’. Holland lost to both the guys and has actually experienced the individual skills possessed by the main event duo.

“I think Izzy wins, man I don’t think he is easy to takedown as I was, and Marvin, he told me I didn’t work on my wrestling defense well it’s like. He has a really good striking coach over there and striking still not that great. He needs to do some soul searching in the striking department.”

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Brandon Moreno was also of the same opinion as other fighters and placed a safe bet. “I don’t know, it’s hard, obviously. I’m trying to make a neutral decision about that and Israel looks better and better every single fight and Marvin Vettori looks like a strong and real Middleweight fighter. I think Israel Adesanya wins again.”

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Michael Bisping tried to remain neutral, but his words were slightly leaning towards Adesanya. ‘The Count’ praised both the fighters by saying “I think Marvin’s got better. He’s certainly improved, but I think also Adesanya has improved. I mean, and I think he’s really you know he’s filled those shoes as a champion”.

Bisping continued, “He has already beaten Marvin once so it would be disrespectful to say that he can’t do that again. However, Marvin’s a big guy he’s a strong guy he is a big middleweight. He’s got better, he’s got good wrestling, and he’s got an attitude problem as well which I love.”

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Who do you think will take away the gold in the rematch between Marvin Vettori and Israel Adesanya?

Watch this story: Five Unknown Facts About The UFC President Dana White

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Written by:

Saurabh Singh Laledia is an MMA enthusiast who works as a UFC writer for EssentiallySports. His passion for the UFC infused with his knowledge of various fight styles such as Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu motivated him to pursue a career in combat sports journalism, as it would be where he could exhibit his expert views and unbiased opinions whilst keeping the fan’s perspective alive. He started watching the sport at UFC 53 in 2005 when ‘The Ace’ Rich Franklin beat Evan Turner to claim the belt and has traced the journey of the middleweight title right from 'The Spider' to 'The Last Stylebender'.

Kevin Holland, Michael Bisping, and Other MMA Fighters Pick Israel Adesanya vs Marvin Vettori 2 Winner

Fighters predict the main event between Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori

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