UFC Paris: Marvin Vettori issues damning verdict on Robert Whittaker

UFC star Marvin Vettori has explained why he’s so confident that he can defeat Robert Whittaker at UFC Paris this weekend.

For the longest time now, Israel Adesanya has been the man standing at the top of the mountain at 185 pounds. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has seen off the challenge of everyone who has stepped in his way in the division, and that includes Marvin Vettori and Robert Whittaker – both of whom he’s beaten twice.

Alas, it’s a testament to the resilience of both men that they’re ready to get back in there and continue their climb once again when they meet at UFC Paris on Saturday night.

Both have interesting styles that should mesh together quite nicely and beyond the standard trash talk that we’re so used to seeing at the elite level, this one feels like it’s all about pride and proving who is the better man.

With that being said, Vettori couldn’t help but point out a big difference that he sees between himself and ‘The Reaper’ during a recent interview.

ALL THE INFO: UFC Paris: Date, Venue, Main Event and Everything You Need to Know

“He’s definitely very good, but with that being said, he’s the same fighter he was a year ago, the same fighter he was in his last fight – I’m not. I keep improving, I’m more hungry. I’m on my way up, I don’t believe he is. That’s the difference here.”

“He’s a great fighter and I don’t believe he goes into training cruising, but the hunger is way different. We’re different. I’m on my way up, he’s not.”

While Whittaker’s last outing was a narrow decision loss to Adesanya in their rematch earlier this year, Marvin Vettori is coming off the back of a morale-boosting victory over Paulo Costa at light heavyweight.

A decisive win here may still not be enough to earn a second crack at the