Does a victory for Marvin Vettori at UFC 263 pave the way to double champ status for Kamaru Usman?

 If you're Kamaru Usman, you are pretty confident in the knowledge that you've secured fighter of the year status already half way into 2021. Two massive KO wins over Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal, and potential victories down the line that would truly cement his GOAT status at Welterweight, his greatness would be unquestionable.

But what about that forever tempting double champ status which is always in the back of a champion's mind?

Usman recently expressed interest in a potential fight at Middleweight, on the proviso that his fellow countryman Israel Adesanya did not sit atop the throne. UFC 263 may provide Usman his opportunity to ascend to a level his career has never seen before now, albeit at the expense of Adesanya.

 Marvin Vettori can safely say that he gave Adesanya his toughest test in the octagon to date. Losing a tight split decision to Adesanya back in 2018 which he was convinced he won, Vettori can now get his revenge and become the first Italian UFC champion at UFC 263. Obviously the test he faces is a far sterner one than the one he faced 3 years ago, but we have seen vast improvements in Vettori's talents since that loss. 

A five fight win streak which has seen victories over Kevin Holland, Jack Hermansson and Karl Roberson; all of whom posed unique problems for the Italian, but in the end were no match for his talents. 

So how would a bout between Vettori and Usman pan out?

Immediately we have to draw attention to the new maturity of Usman's striking since his union with Trevor Wittman. That pull counter he landed on Gilbert Burns; almost Mayweather-esque. His starching of Jorge Masvidal, the stuff of legends. He is truly living up to the moniker 'The Nigerian Nightmare'. To see this Welterweight killer not have to cut as much weight and be arguably even more dangerous a weight class up is a tantalising prospect for any fight fan. Let's not forget the calibre of wrestler that Usman is too. The clinic he put on Tyron Woodley to this day is one of the most dominant title fight performances we have ever seen and potentially will ever see. 

Would Vettori be able to neutralise the multiple threats that Usman poses in the cage? Difficult to say. Saturday night will tell us just how good Vettori has become since his loss to Adesanya in 2018.

The Nigerian Nightmare versus The Italian Dream? Come on. It writes itself. Saturday could well give us the road to a truly explosive contest!

~ James Eakin

Image credits: [Top] "Israel Adesanya explains how Kamaru Usman inspired him to accept the Marvin Vettori fight", Prathik John. Available at: https://sportskeeda.com/mma/news-israel-adesanya-explains-kamaru-usman-inspired-accept-marvin-vettori-fight