“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.
UFC Vegas 23 results: Marvin Vettori dominates Kevin Holland for five rounds
Marvin Vettori takes down Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 23
The first round of the main event started with an ugly kick from Holland that delivered flush right into Vettori’s crotch area that would make any man cringe in perceptible pain. After that illegal foray, the first round was a mix between exchanges on the feet between the two middleweight contenders, along with clinch work that for the most part was dominated by the no. 6 ranked Vettori. Toward the end of the first, Vettori secured a takedown and maintained ground control until a beautiful transition from Holland to take the fight back to the feet.
No. 6 ranked middleweight Marvin Vettori spoke at the post-fight press conference after he defeated no. 10 ranked middleweight Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 23 (aka UFC on ABC 2) on Saturday.
As far as what Vettori wants next after such a decisive victory, “The Italian Dream” made his case for why he believes he’s next in line to challenge Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title.
Marvin Vettori storms Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 23
“Five [fight] win streak. Accepting anybody at any time. Always showing up. Always making weight. Never complaining about nothing and I just show up and I just beat these guys very dominantly,” Vettori said. “I leave no doubt. The last fight that I had with Adesanya was the closest fight that he’s ever had and in my eyes I still won it and that fight has to be made again.”
Julian Marquez, Sam Alvey, Mackenzie Dern, and Mateusz Gamrot topped the UFC Vegas 23 bonuses, each of them taking home an additional $50,000 bonus check for their efforts on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Marquez and Alvey took home the Fight of the Night bonuses, while Dern and Gamrot were awarded the Performance of the Night honors.
UFC Vegas 23 Fight of the Night: Julian Marquez def. Sam Alvey
Julian Marquez continued to prove that he is more than a Miley Cyrus callout with his victory over Sam Alvey, which earned the Fight of the Night award.
Marquez showed great hand speed early and cracked Alvey, wobbling him. But Alvey returned fire, hurting Marquez, as well.