Video: Israel Adesanya, Marvin Vettori Trade Barbs Ahead of UFC 263 Title Bout

Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori already have some history between them thanks to a previous bout, and that has only served to heighten tensions between the two middleweights ahead of their title bout at UFC 263.

Adesanya and Vettori recently sat down with Michael Bisping for an interview, part of which aired during the UFC Fight Night 189 broadcast on Saturday night. As one might expect, there was no love lost between the champion and the challenger.

Adesanya defeated Vettori via split decision in their first meeting at UFC on Fox 29 on April 14, 2018, part of a nine-bout winning streak within the Las Vegas-based promotion for “The Last Stylebender.”

“Last time, you had hope,” Adesanya said. “You had hope because one dumb judge gave you that f—ing fight when everyone else knows you lost. I’m going to finish the job.”

Of course, Vettori saw things differently that day, and “The Italian Dream” has even more confidence as he enters UFC 263 on a five-bout winning streak.

“He laughs, but he’s going to see,” Vettori said. “I’m going to settle the score once and for all, and I’m going to show the world who’s the best middleweight around.”

UFC 263 takes place at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday and will also see Deiveson Figueiredo face Brandon Moreno in a flyweight championship rematch, while Nate Diaz squares off against Leon Edwards in a five-round, non-title affair. The full interview with Adesanya and Vettori can be viewed above.