“You’ll see me showing up to Dana White’s house and be telling them, ‘We got to make an event in Italy,’” he said. “It can definitely be done in Italy, too. I’m super looking forward (to it), and I’m going to campaign hard for it. I’ve always said coming in the UFC, goals of mine (are), one, to bring the UFC to Italy. The second was to become the first Italian UFC champion. We’ve got to make them both happen.”
First thing on that agenda, however, is getting past Whittaker, whose only two losses in 13 middleweight bouts have come to Adesanya.
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Vettori believes he can’t just grind out a decision win. Instead, he hopes to make an emphatic statement over a former champion as he tries to build a hard-fought case for a second title shot. That road gets a little clearer if Alex Pereira dispatches of “The Last Stylebender” at UFC 281 in New York City, but if Adesanya defends his throne, Vettori won’t feel discouraged. It’s all part of his journey, and one marked by taking the hard, winding road over and over again until he manifests his dreams into reality.
“This fight is going to confirm me as a number one contender,” Vettori said. “After that, the only thing that is left is going to be another title shot and me becoming a champion, me getting that belt. I’m going to be right there, and I believe is another shot at the belt is going to be undeniable.”
