Marvin Vettori’s return to the octagon at UFC Fight Night 254 did not go as planned. After enduring the longest layoff of his career due to injuries, Vettori stepped back into the cage on Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Unfortunately, he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Roman Dolidze, a fighter he had previously defeated at UFC 286 in March 2023. This marked a frustrating turn of events for the former middleweight title challenger, who was hoping to reignite his journey towards championship contention.
Training Changes Fail as Vettori Struggles to Overcome a Tough Defeat
During his time away, Vettori made significant changes to his training regimen. He relocated to Florida and joined the esteemed American Top Team, a move intended to refine his skills and prepare him for a successful comeback.
However, despite these efforts, the results did not align with his expectations. In his first post-fight statement, Vettori struggled to articulate his disappointment, expressing his frustration with the outcome and reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Roman Dolidze (UFC)Vettori acknowledged that the fight was closely contested, particularly in the third round when he nearly had Dolidze in trouble. However, his efforts were not enough to sway the judges in his favor.
The Italian fighter described the bout as a tough experience, admitting that even though he gave everything he had, he still came up short. His emotions were evident as he shared his thoughts on social media, revealing his struggle to process the defeat.
Vettori Faces Uncertainty as He Struggles to Stay in Middleweight Rankings
At 31 years old, Vettori now finds himself in uncharted territory—a two-fight losing streak for the first time in his career. Having been a fixture in the middleweight division’s top 10 rankings for more than five years, he now faces the real possibility of slipping further down the ranks.
This loss raises concerns about his position in the division and the adjustments he needs to make to regain momentum. Despite his setbacks, Vettori remains committed to his career, though he did not have an immediate answer for how to turn things around.
Despite the loss, Vettori expressed gratitude to his new team at American Top Team and the UFC for the opportunities he has been given. His brief yet emotional post-fight comments reflected his uncertainty about the next steps in his career. As he regroups and reevaluates his path forward, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether he can bounce back and reclaim his place among the division’s elite.
