“He wins, but does not convince.”
This expression is used in the Italian journalistic lexicon to comment on a team or an athlete’s winning performance. The meaning is that there is no doubt the team or the athlete deserved to win, but, in short, the doubts lie in the quality of the performance and the future of the team or athlete.
This expression certainly applies to Marvin Vettori’s victory over Kevin Holland on Saturday night in the main event of UFC on ABC 2. A large portion of the Italian press and, obviously, the nation’s MMA fans are proud enthusiasts for Vettori, but not all. Some coaches and bloggers have noted some criticism for the fighter.