MMA
Israel Adesanya sends supportive message to rival Marvin Vettori ahead of UFC 332 return
Published
3 weeks agoon
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCFormer UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is rooting for two-time rival Marvin Vettori to snap his skid at UFC 332.
Israel Adesanya and two-time foe Marvin Vettori's careers will always be linked. Ahead of Vettori's return to the Octagon at UFC 332, Adesanya is keeping a keen eye on his former foe.
Vettori will face talented prospect Ismail Naurdiev at UFC 332 this Saturday in Salt Lake City. The former UFC title challenger is searching for his first victory in more than three years as he looks to snap a four-fight skid.
A loss at UFC 332 could potentially spell the end for Vettori's title hopes. But for Adesanya, he's rooting for his former adversary to get his hand raised this weekend as they navigate similar waters.
Israel Adesanya rooting for two-time rival to win at UFC 332 despite Marvin Vettori's ‘hate'
In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Adesanya sent a message to Vettori ahead of UFC 332.
“My boy, Vettori. Is this his first fight back since the tragedy? 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. Like twice a year, he will take shots at me for no reason. I respect him,†Adesanya said of Vettori.
“If I lost you in a fire, I would be heartbroken. Even that makes me sad saying that. I empathize, so it's hard for me to feel anything bad toward this man. Oh s—, he's like me (with a four-fight losing skid). I want him to win. It would be good for him, his morale, his spirit.
“When you win, I win. When I win, you win,†Adesanya continued. “Whether you like it or not, Vettori, we're locked in this s— for life.†(h/t MMA Junkie)
Adesanya is expected to return to the Octagon either later this year, or in early 2027. Like Vettori, he's searching for his first win in over three years after recent losses to Joe Pyfer and Nassourdine Imavov.
Who should Israel Adesanya fight in his UFC return? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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MMA
Movsar Evloev warns Alexander Volkanovski: He hasnt beaten anyone like me
Published
13 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Evloev says he has pushed himself harder than ever ahead of his
first UFC title shot.
Evloev (20-0) is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski (28-4) for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the
bout, the unbeaten Russian discussed how his preparations have
differed from previous training camps.
Movsar Evloev details toughest training camp ahead of Alexander
Volkanovski title fight at UFC 333
Evloev said he increased his workload across all aspects of
training to address any potential weaknesses. He believes that
preparation will help him showcase his abilities in Saturday's main
event.
“This preparation is different just because I pushed more than
ever,†Evloev said in a pre-fight interview. “And we did more of
everything to make sure we didn't miss anything. He hasn't beaten
anyone like me. There's many things that make me special, like
unique. And I'm about to show it Saturday.â€
Evloev has long been considered a leading featherweight contender,
with Volkanovski acknowledging him as the most deserving
challenger. However, Diego Lopes
received a title rematch against Volkanovski earlier this year
before Evloev earned his opportunity. The Russian's lack of UFC
finishes has fueled debate about his wait for a championship bout,
though the promotion has not established it as the reason for the
delay.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
Movsar
Evloev (@MovsarUFC) discusses his journey to the title shot and
his title fight matchup against champ Alexander
Volkanovski @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi |
@ParamountPlus https://t.co/fWuJJ7I2sz— UFC News (@UFCNews)
October 21, 2026
MMA
Joshua Van: Sean Strickland ‘in a bad spot’ in Dana White feud over UFC pay
Published
14 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Joshua Van sides with UFC boss Dana White in his public feud with Sean Strickland.
For Van, the UFC's flyweight champion, the matter should have been discussed behind closed doors instead of a public forum like social media.
“He just signed a contract in May and fought Khamzat, and then he won,†Van told Outta Pocket. “Instead of going on Twitter and going on all that [expletive], he should have talked to Dana and said, ‘I wanna renegotiate.' Behind closed doors. Then the boss would have been like, ‘OK, let's talk about this, what you want?' You just beat the boogeyman. Now it's a whole mess.â€
“If you work at a 9-to-5 job and you go off to your boss and you're like, pay me this much. Like, what the [expletive]? You know what I mean? So he's in a bad spot right now. He's still under the contract. I don't know how that's gonna work.â€
A 25-year-old flyweight champion who started his professional MMA career when Strickland already had 14 UFC bouts under his belt, Van agrees with Strickland that fighters should get paid more.
However, he doesn't sound unhappy with his current UFC contract. Van recently defended his 125-pound belt with a decision over Alexandre Pantoja, his third title bout win in a span of 10 months, including a fifth-round TKO over Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event of Chimaev vs. Strickland.
“I'm getting paid good,†Van said with a laugh. “I think they pay me good amount; I don't know, but fighter that think they deserve more or—like, should we get paid more? Yes, but, I don't know, I'm happy where I'm at. I start from zero to now, the UFC literally made me where I'm at, gave me everything that I got right now. I don't know, I'm happy right now. I can't really say for the other guy.â€
MMA
UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
Published
1 day agoon
October 22, 2026
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