Marvin Vettori vs Paulo Costa — Fight recap

Marvin Vettori defeated Paulo Costa by unanimous decision over five rounds on October 23, 2021, at UFC 268. Vettori landed 190 significant strikes at 54% accuracy while controlling the center of the octagon for 3:27, establishing a volume-based striking game that proved decisive across the judges' scorecards.

Costa landed the cleaner shots with a 62% significant strike accuracy on 163 strikes and converted his sole takedown attempt, but his output remained lower overall and his control time was minimal at just 0:47. The Italian middleweight's superior activity and cage control, despite Costa's technical striking prowess, secured all three rounds on the scorecards.

Vettori's performance solidified his position as a legitimate title contender in a division still seeking clarity at the top.