UFC Struggle Evening 254 headliner Marvin Vettori aiming for profession resurgence after main surgical procedure

LAS VEGAS – Former UFC title challenger Marvin Vettori returns to the octagon this Saturday after virtually two years away from competitors.

The final time Vettori (19-7-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) was seen within the cage was again in June 2023 when he misplaced a unanimous determination to fellow veteran Jared Cannonier. Since that bout, loads has modified for “The Italian Dream.” For starters, Vettori moved from Las Vegas to South Florida to coach at American High Workforce in Coconut Creek – which was a much-needed change for his profession.

“I modified gyms as a result of I felt I needed to do one thing completely different – so yeah, I’m undoubtedly not the identical,” Vettori mentioned at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 254 media day. “I discovered a house at ATT, and I’m completely happy that I’m representing them for the primary time this time round. I’ve been there for some time, and it’s wonderful, to be sincere. Plenty of development. I’m going to indicate it. Discuss is speak on the finish of the day.”

Not lengthy after, Vettori sadly suffered a foul shoulder harm. He tried recovering with simply bodily remedy, however the harm obtained worse. In June 2024, Vettori needed to endure surgical procedure. It was a tough patch in his profession.

“There have been occasions once I was like, ‘F*ck, is it going to be again to regular?,’ as a result of it takes so f*cking lengthy,” Vettori defined. “The shoulder, man, each angle you must practice as a result of in any other case you’d be good right here, however out right here is weak. I’m fairly cussed, I’m capable of get after it, however I had moments, I used to be like, ‘F*cking hell, is it going to be again to regular? Do I’ve to determine another solution to struggle?’ However positive sufficient, folks round you and medical doctors inform you that ultimately you’ll see. Folks get injured on a regular basis and are available again. I used to be all the time attempting to be reverse.”

Vettori headlines Saturday’s UFC Struggle Evening 254 (ESPN+) on the UFC Apex in a rematch towards Roman Dolidze (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC), who’s on a two-fight profitable streak.

Vettori is raring to return, and simply needs to get the ball rolling once more in his profession. He’s 2-2 since difficult then champion Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title. He’s not centered at rankings or title competition, simply needs to return.

“I simply see it as me getting again,” Vettori mentioned relating to his struggle towards Dodlidze. “The remaining is further. That’s what I see, me getting again and feeling good, placing all of the items collectively. It’s been some time. The remaining is further. We’ll see.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 255.