UFC Vegas 41 could have been billed as Italy vs. Brazil, with an Italian stallion (or, well, dream) in Marvin Vettori going up against a Brazilian Hulk, Paulo Costa. Instead, the storyline all week leading up to the main event was the lack of weight cutting from Paulo Costa. Costa was willing to throw in the towel early into fight week and asked Marvin Vettori to compete at catchweight fight. Then, the 195lb catchweight was bumped up to light heavyweight.
No matter what was behind the weight issue Costa was going through, Marvin Vettori came to fight, and accepted the bout regardless of weight. He was looking to surpass Costa and rise once again up the ranks and capture another shot at UFC middleweight champ, Israel Adesanya. If Vettori gets another shot at Izzy, he no doubt believes the third time will be the charm — but it won’t be an easy sell.
As soon as the Octagon door locked behind them, Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa went to war for five rounds. Even with a point being deducted early in the second round and with visible signs of a gas tank fading, Paulo Costa was still dangerous and gave Marvin Vettori every ounce of power he had. Even taking multiple power shots from Costa, Vettori looked to be the fresher of the two through four rounds and despite the damage beginning to add up in the fifth, Marvin Vettori saw the final bell and all his hard work during the main event was rewarded with the decision victory.
PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE
Here is how the pros saw the UFC Vegas 41 main event.
Stellar performance from Marvin . He shows up and fight ! #UFCVegas41
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 23, 2021
What a fight! Not happy with how he ended that 5th RD, but Vettori has nothing to hang his head about. That was a great performance from both men. Makes you wonder what this looks like at 185 lb, like it was intended to be. #UFCVegas41
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 23, 2021
Omg ! Couple savages !
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) October 23, 2021
Man after this whole week and now this fight Marvin should gain a million new fans
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 23, 2021
That was fun.
I wanna see drunk Costa versus TRT Belfort on the next @triller show. 😂
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) October 23, 2021
My Opinion @MarvinVettori Can Stay at Light Heavyweight and Go For The Strap There Izzy Got Yo Number G #UFCVegas41
— Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) October 23, 2021
10-9 costa for the final round but i think @MarvinVettori got this one.
— The Prince (@AmirAlbazi) October 23, 2021
Marvin a friggin stud. https://t.co/YoQMwdY7NK
— Kayla Harrison (@KaylaH) October 23, 2021
Vettori is thought though.
Great performance for both of them!#UFCVegas41— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) October 23, 2021
