Marvin Vettori’s extended absence from the cage left fans and pundits alike with one burning question: why hasn’t ‘The Italian Dream’ fought in nearly two years? Ahead of his return this weekend at UFC Fight Night 254 (UFC Vegas 104), we take a closer look at his absence.

With his once-promising career unexpectedly put on pause, speculation has centered on anything from personal setbacks to strange injuries. Later developments further fueled the speculation, prompting many to wonder if this hiatus is more than just a series of unfortunate circumstances. The cancellation of his main event versus Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 90 only fueled the flames.

Marvin Vettori suffers ‘freak accident,’ opts out of Brendan Allen fight

‘The Italian Dream’ was scheduled to headline UFC Vegas 90 on April 6, 2024, at the UFC Apex versus Brendan Allen, which many considered as his chance to regain momentum after a difficult decision loss to Jared Cannonier. However, in an Instagram video, he confessed that he had to withdraw due to a “freak accident” during training. “I wanted to tell you firsthand because there’s a lot of s— on the internet, but I’m not going to fight on April 6. I got hurt—it was kind of a freak accident, and I can’t go into a fight hurt,” Vettori said. This unexpected injury was the first time in his career that he had to withdraw from a scheduled fight, leaving fans disappointed and impatient for his return.

The impact of Vettori’s withdrawal echoed throughout the UFC Vegas 90 card, as his absence from the main event not only cost him a key victory but also impacted the division’s landscape. Brendan Allen was left scrambling for a replacement opponent, the middleweight division faced a significant shake-up. ‘The Italian Dream,’ who had been keen to get his name back in the victory column after nearly three years without a win, vowed to return “stronger than ever” and promised a rematch with Allen once he recovered completely. However, getting back his momentum isn’t the only reason why he wishes to face Brendan Allen after (hopefully) a successful return this weekend.

What happened between Marvin Vettori and Brendan Allen?

The hostility between Marvin Vettori and Brendan Allen has been growing for some time, and some infamous events have only fueled their feud. The animosity isn’t new; past fights between the two trace back to a post-PFL altercation in which Vettori’s aggressive swing at fellow fighter George Tokkos evolved into a physical encounter after Brendan Allen intervened. Witnesses stated that Allen delivered a stunning one-two combo that sent ‘The Italian Dream’ falling onto a nearby roulette table inside the Hard Rock Casino. Following the altercation, Vettori made no secret of his dislike for Allen. In a fierce social media outburst, he declared, “I’m your big shot; you’re gonna beg me for another shot. I don’t give a f—about fighting you—I’m making you a favor; I’ll smash your face just because you look funny to me… I’ll see you soon.”

Such statements have only made things worse between the two fighters, leaving fans wondering if their feud will ever be resolved inside the Octagon. While Vettori’s injury has put this bout on hold for the time being, the unresolved tension and verbal jabs ensure that the possibility of a future fight remains a hot subject among fans of the Dana White-led promotion. However, only time will tell when we will get to see the duo get into a one-on-one. What do you think? Will Marvin Vettori mark his return to winning ways in 2025? Let us know in the comments.