Israel Adesanya puts rivalry aside to support Marvin Vettori after tragedy

Israel Adesanya is ready to bury the hatchet with Marvin Vettori.

Eight years ago, Adesanya and Vettori were fierce rivals. The pair butted heads at every opportunity, which twice led to the octagon. ‘The Last Stylebender’ got his hand raised both times, but the Italian didn’t take his defeats lightly. He has kept the feud alive, criticizing Adesanya at every turn. But now, with the two men on a combined eight-fight losing streak, Adesanya is rooting for his old nemesis.

His career has taken a hit, but an event away from the cage has been much more devastating for Marvin Vettori. Last year, Vettori’s younger brother lost his life in a house fire; a tragic loss for anybody. Knowing the pain it could cause, Israel Adesanya offered Vettori his sympathy.

“My boy, Vettori,” Adesanya said. “This is his first fight back since the tragedy? Yeah. Vettori is a hard man to finish. I don’t think anyone has finished him in the UFC yet.”

“I think he still hates me. I don’t know why. I mean, it’s obvious… Every other- like twice a year, he’ll take shots at me for no reason. But nah, I respect him.”

“If I lost [my brother] in a fire, I would be heartbroken. That makes me sad saying that. So I, like, I empathize. So, it’s hard for me to feel anything bad towards this man because I’m like, if I lost [my brother] in a house fire. God forbid.”

Adesanya is hoping Vettori can regain the form that led him to a UFC title shot. The 33-year-old collides with Ismail Naurdiev at UFC 332 on Saturday.

“I want him to win,” Adesanya added. “I mean, it’ll be good for him. It’s been a while, spirit. When you win, I win. When I win, you win. Whether you like it or not Vettori, we’re locked in this sh*t for life. Yeah, man, I’m going for Vettori. I’m pulling for him to win this one.”