UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has branded his long-time Marvin Vettori as the division's "biggest pretender".
Adesanya has only been in the promotion since 2018, but has already run through the gauntlet at 185lb, including beating Vettori twice. He has just one loss on his MMA record, when he moved up 20lb to fight Jan Blachowicz last year for the light-heavyweight title in Abu Dhabi, but has looked unbeatable in his own division.
And despite going the distance twice with Vettori, the first of which was a razor-close split decision, he believes the Italian is not all fans and experts crack him up to be. Speaking with Kayo Sports' Gloves Off show, Adesanya noted that he feels Vettori is shrouded in "fugazi".
