COSTA MESA, Calif. – Marvin Vettori isn’t sure Paulo Costa makes 186 pounds against Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. That’s because Vettori (18-5-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) has first-hand experience.
Vettori fought Costa last October in the UFC Fight Night 196 main event, but the matchup was moved to light heavyweight after Costa had trouble hitting the middleweight mark. Vettori won by unanimous decision.
Although UFC president Dana White said Costa (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) must now move up to 205, the former title challenger has decided to remain at middleweight, but Vettori doesn’t think he makes weight.
“Luke is a p*ssy, bro,” Vettori told MMA Junkie. “That’s all you guys need to know. Luke is a p*ssy, but I’m gonna give you this: He wanted the fight with Paulo, and Paulo has been b*tching out. I don’t think Paulo can make 185 anymore, but Luke is a b*tch. That’s all you guys need to know.”
Vettori was questioned about his strong words toward Rockhold (16-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC). While he didn’t elaborate, he referenced one time he wanted to train with the former UFC middleweight champion, and Rockhold apparently wasn’t interested.
“He’s been talking,” Vettori said. “Even though I don’t know him, I know him. I saw him one time at the gym, and I said, ‘Let’s spar. You’ve been talking sh*t.’ And he’s like, ‘Oh no, now I’m getting ready,’ this and that. It is what it is. He likes to talk, he’s been on and off, he’s probably broke right now, he wants to make some money. He was a champ for one time. I guess we’ve got to give him that, but other than that, I don’t make much out of him. It is what it is, but more than anything he’s a p*ssy.”
Vettori is on a quest to regain a shot at UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya. He meets Robert Whittaker on Sept. 3 in Paris and thinks a dominant performance earns him a trilogy bout with “The Last Stylebender.”
