After the success of a memorable UFC 261 pay-per-view, all eyes are on the events coming up thick and fast.
UFC announced the middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori during last weekend’s broadcast, and the fight will serve as UFC 263’s headliner.
That is the second of two championship bouts, coming after the rematch for UFC flyweight gold between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. Brazil’s Figueiredo and Mexico’s Moreno battled over five rounds before their contest was ruled a majority draw.
The rematch was previously announced, on top of another main card pairing of welterweights Demian Maia and Belal Muhammad.
On top of Adesanya – Vettori, the UFC announced that a light heavyweight tilt between Paul Craig and Jamahal Hill, as well as a lightweight scrap featuring Drew Dober and Brad Riddell, will round off a solid main card for UFC 263.
Scotland’s Craig was due to face Hill on the UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs. Holland card back in March. However, Dana White’s Contender Series contract-winner Hill was forced out of the bout 10 days before it was scheduled after testing positive for COVID-19.
Hill is unbeaten in his mixed martial arts career, while Craig is undefeated in four.
Dober is looking to bounce back quickly from his disappointing submission loss to Islam Makhachev in March against Riddell. New Zealand’s Riddell, a teammate of Adesanya’s, is riding a six-fight win streak.
At the time of writing, UFC 263 has not got a location confirmed for the event as the promotion begins to bring its fights to cities and states in the USA that allow fans to attend.
