The Time Is Now For The Italian Dream

In a sport where there’s room for few, the quest for making history is no easy task. But when it comes to digging deep to conquer that quest, there’s no better pick than “The Italian Dream,” Marvin Vettori as the man to do it. The 27-year-old is well on the verge of making history of becoming the first-ever Italian UFC Champion. And for him, the time is now.

There’s something to be said about a fighter’s path that loses his Mixed Martial Arts debut. Discouragement might be a factor for a young fighter to start their career as 0-1 in a sport built on sheer confidence. However, confidence and self-belief are things that Vettori never lacked.

Following the Italian’s first MMA loss, he went on an absolute tear, managing to showcase dominance in eleven out of his twelve next fights.
It was clear that Vettori was special, establishing control in every aspect of the fight game. Power in both hands, alongside a crafty ground game that gives his adversaries a variety of options to pick their poison with the young southpaw.

Marvin was never afraid to take the cynical road of chasing perfection. After starting his Journey in Italy, Vettori packed his bags with no plan other than to get better, and London was where he headed.

“The Italian Dream” made his prolonged visit to the United Kingdom, which lasted three years, training at London’s ShootFighters, which is considered one of the Sport’s hidden gems.

Vettori’s hard-fought journey showed a valuable asset about his character at such a young age, and that is Resiliency, which would eventually help him go further than anyone expected.

Dominance was on full display in the European scene, and Vettori was crowned the Venator FC Champion at just twenty-one years of age. It was a formality to where “The Italian Dream” was heading, the place where he truly belongs to, under the brightest lights of all, the UFC.

At twenty-two years young, Marvin was making the walk in the most prominent organization in the world, on the biggest card of 2016. Could pressure take over the young, eager rising star? Not a chance. Vettori had a quick night at the office, securing a finish in his UFC debut in the first round. The entire middleweight division was put on notice, “The Italian Dream” has arrived with style.

Vettori was faced with some ups and downs, dropping razor close decisions in his ensuing fights, but one thing was certain, glimpses of greatness were shown in every outing for the Italian.

While the world was in shock that Israel Adesanya suffered his first loss earlier this month, Vettori was sitting at home, far from surprised, and there’s a reason for that. Before Adesanya reached the superstardom level, he fought Vittori to a split decision win where many people, including Vittori, believed that “The Italian Dream” did more than enough that night to go home as the victor.

In hindsight, Vettori might have been the first man to lay out the blueprint of beating the sophisticated striker. Although the fight was close, Marvin was clearly dominant on the ground, taking Adesanya down twice at will.
Even in the striking department where Adesanya usually shines, the Italian was more than comfortable standing with arguably the best striker in MMA.

Following Vettori’s controversial loss to Adesanya, a fire was lit in his soul, with the mindset of leaving no doubt who’s the better man whenever he made the walk. He believed it, and just like that, he received it.

Three dominant victories were secured by “The Italian Dream.” He finally started to come to his own as a complete, dominant Mixed Martial Artist.
With the outstanding winning streak, combined with a last-minute opponent change, the pride of Italy found himself headlining his first-ever UFC Main event, with his dancing partner being the fellow European, “The Joker” Jack Hermanson.

It all came full circle for the Italian. Having his sights set on Hermanson years ago while both were competing on the European scene, the time had finally arrived for them to lock horns, and most significantly, clash for bragging rights of who’s the King of Europe.

In one of the greatest fights in Middleweight history, Vettori answered every single question lingering over him. Does he have that one-hitter quitter? He Drops Hermanson in the first round.
Can the Italian go five rounds against the most conditioned fighter in the division? Not only did Vettori go all 5, but he dominated the fifth round. Most importantly, can “The Italian Dream” dig deep when the tides rise higher than ever with the hopes of drowning his dreams? Unquestionably, pushing the pace for twenty-five minutes straight with sheer perseverance and hunger on full display.

A star-making performance by Marvin Vettori, rising to the occasion like a true champion, showing heart and grid unlike any other.

The pattern of the Italian’s career is leading into history. As he headlines the upcoming UFC card on April 10 against Darren Till on ABC, the home of All-time greats like Muhammad Ali and many more, Vettori is oozing with confidence, knowing that with a victory on the 10th, he locks in the rematch that he’s been chomping at the bit to avenge. The time is now for “The Italian Dream.”