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Kevin Holland ➡️ Israel Adesanya ➡️ Middleweight title
That’s the blueprint UFC fighter Marvin Vettori tells TMZ Sports he plans to follow … insisting he’s only 1 “Big Mouth” ass-whoopin’ away from a long-anticipated rematch with Stylebender.
We talked to the 27-year-old Italian MMA star before his UFC on ABC 2 main event scrap on Saturday with 28-year-old Holland … who stepped in for Darren Till — who broke his collarbone (but MV ain’t buying the injury) — about his place in the 185 lb. division.
Per the UFC’s Middleweight rankings, Marvin’s #6, Holland’s #10, and Till’s #5. Despite sitting behind a few other top fighters, Vettori says with a dub on Saturday, it’s his time for a shot at the title.
“Most of the top five, they’re injured or they’re not showing up, so it don’t count. Like they’re top-five just on the paper. I think I deserve the title shot after this,” Marvin says.
As for that scrap with Till … Vettori says he isn’t interested anymore.
“[Darren] lost his opportunity. I don’t even trust him anymore to show up. I would like to eventually, but he can try and challenge me when I’ll be the champion and if he can gain the spot, I’ll face him then,” Marvin tells us.
“He lost his spot, man. He lost his opportunity. I’m getting more suspicious by the day, to be honest.”
Regarding that rematch with 31-year-old Adesanya … Izzy and Marvin fought in April 2018. Israel won via split decision … but some people believe MV was the real winner.
But, just beating Adesanya on a single scorecard is an impressive feat … something that no other UFC middleweight has done.
“I’m a whole different fighter by now than what I was back then,” Vettori says … “So I can’t wait. Gonna smash this guy and then everything will fall into place.”