Vettori gained weight and beats Costa

The dream of another title shot remains intact for Italy’s Marvin Vettori.

Vettori overcame a weight differential in favor of Paulo Costa to take the win in the main event of UFC Fight Night 196 at the APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

‘The Italian Dream’ accepted the bout despite Costa coming in well short of the 185-pound middleweight limit, to face off at semi-complete weight with 205 pounds from the Brazilian and a 20 percent purse penalty.

However, Vettori looked dominant at the start of the bout and even ended up with the advantage in the striking exchange, something that is not his strength.

Except for a reaction from Costa in the second round, who lost a point by poking the Italian’s eyes, Vettori never looked outclassed and ended up receiving identical 48-46 scorecards.

In the final stats, Vettori also came out on top with 214 total punches landed to Costa’s 172, he also took the advantage in significant strikes with 190 to 163, both fighters scored one knockdown.

With the win, Vettori improves his record to 18-5-1, rebounding from a unanimous decision loss to Israel Adesanya in a championship fight last June.

For Costa, this is his second consecutive loss and he stands at 13-2, moving him away from a possible rematch with Adesanya, who handed him the first loss of his career by knocking him out in a championship fight, and even his trouble with the scales could force him to move up a division.