Adesanya dominates Vettori, Moreno shocks Figueiredo at UFC 263

Reigning UFC middleweight world champion Israel Adesanya remains the king at 185 pounds following a clear-cut unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori in the main event of UFC 263 this Sunday at the Gila River Arena in Arizona, USA.

Adesanya went to work early as he circled the cage and threw leg kicks that found its mark. Vettori caught one of the kicks then took the champion down but was unable to do anything significant while on the ground.

Round two looked like target practice for Adesanya while the challenger struggled to land strikes of his own. Vettori also looked to score another takedown but was stopped by the champion off the fence.

Vettori took the back and got under the chin of Adesanya in the opening seconds of round three but was unable to lock the rear-naked choke. They got up and exchanged strikes allowing Adesanya to punish Vettori with more leg kicks.

Vettori landed leg kicks of his own in round 4 but was nevertheless outstruck by the Adesanya until the fifth and final round. All three judges saw the fight for Adesanya, improving his record to 21-1.

In the co-main event, a new UFC flyweight world champion was crowned after Brandon Moreno submitted Deiveson Figueiredo in round three. The Mexican looked a step ahead in every aspect throughout the contest then eventually forced a tap from Figueiredo with a rear-naked choke.

Also on the undercard was fan favorite Nate Diaz against Leon Edwards. Edwards dominated the whole contest with his precise striking and calf kicks but gave a scare when he got rocked with a left hand in the final round. He weathered the storm then cruised to a unanimous decision nod.

—JMB, GMA News