Adesanya back to his best in UFC 263 win over Vettori

Israel Adesanya was back to his brilliant best Saturday, defeating challenger Marvin Vettori with a show of superior striking and defending his middleweight title at UFC 263 in Glendale, Arizona.

It was a masterful return to form for the New Zealander on a wild night at the Gila River Arena.

"I didn't feel any threat at all," said Adesanya, 31, after getting a comfortable unanimous decision.

Adesanya suffered the first loss of his MMA career in March after moving up a division and finding himself outmuscled.

But Saturday saw him down to a weight class where he is noticeably more comfortable. The Nigerian-born fighter's speed around the cage and his precision striking, with low kicks and jabs, was too much for Vettori from the first bell.

The Italian tried to use his bigger bulk to get Adesanya to the mat, but each time the New Zealander slipped out and got up to his feet again.

In the end, the judges' cards read 50-45, 50-45, 50-45 –- and Adesanya was back in business, describing himself as "the king."

There were questions before the fight about the mental toll on Adesanya of his career's first defeat, and of the death last month of one of his close friends who was attacked on a night out in Auckland.

Adesanya dedicated the fight to his friend, and laid his belt down in the middle of the cage in tribute.

© Agence France-Presse