Israel Adesanya Backs Former Rival Marvin Vettori Ahead of UFC 332

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has voiced support for his one-time rival Marvin Vettori as the Italian fighter attempts to snap a four-fight losing streak. Vettori is scheduled to face Ismail Naurdiev tonight, October 3, 2026, at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the event airing on Paramount+ and CBS. Ahead of the high-stakes matchup, Adesanya expressed sympathy for Vettori’s current career trajectory, noting a shared professional experience between the two middleweights. Vettori, widely known as the 'Italian Dream,' currently finds himself in a critical position as he looks to regain momentum in a competitive division. The matchup against Naurdiev represents a pivotal point in Vettori’s career, serving as a must-win situation to keep his tenure at the top of the middleweight rankings secure. While the two fighters previously shared a heated rivalry during their respective climbs in the promotion, Adesanya’s recent comments suggest a newfound perspective on the challenges Vettori is currently navigating. Vettori’s performance tonight will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike to see if he can successfully reverse his recent string of setbacks.

Source: MMA Mania.