5 potential opponents for Marvin Vettori

#4. Marvin Vettori vs. Jared Cannonier

UFC 254: Khabib v Gaethje Weigh-in

Another potential opponent for Marvin Vettori is No. 3-ranked middleweight Jared ‘The Killa Gorilla’ Cannonier.

Based on how Cannonier has performed at middleweight, it’s crazy to think that he once fought at heavyweight. Cannonier joined the UFC as a heavyweight in 2015.

After a 1-1 start to his UFC career, Cannonier moved down to 205 lbs. He would experience his fair share of ups and downs, and ended up going 2-3 as a light-heavyweight. After his loss to Dominick Reyes, Cannonier once again changed weight classes. This time, Cannonier benefited from with the move and hit his stride at 185 lbs.

Cannonier won his first three middleweight bouts by TKO against top middleweights including David Branch and Jack Hermansson. However, his biggest win at middleweight was against former middleweight champion Anderson Silva, which took place in Brazil.

Cannonier vs. Vettori would be an interesting matchup. Vettori has proven how durable he is, so it’d be interesting to see whether he attempts takedowns or stands with Cannonier, who possesses one-punch knockout power.

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#3. Marvin Vettori vs. Sean Strickland

UFC Fight Night: Reyes v Prochazka Weigh-in

If Marvin Vettori wants to get back in the cage in the first quarter of 2022, a bout with seventh-ranked Sean Strickland would make sense.

Since returning to the middleweight division, Strickland has made a strong case for himself that he belongs in the top-5. He is coming off a dominant win over Uriah Hall that saw him come away with a unanimous decision victory. The judges scored the fight 50-44, 50-45, and 49-46. The win was significant as Hall was on a 4-fight winning streak and closing in on a title shot.

Strickland was scheduled to fight former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 268. Unfortunately, Rockhold sustained an injury and the bout was removed from the card. The outspoken American has been eager to book a fight ever since.

With Vettori being the only top 5 middleweight available, the timing could work out for Strickland if both fighters want to remain active. A Vettori vs. Strickland match-up would certainly produce a barnburner, as both men like to walk down their opponents and push the the pace.