UFC 263: Israel Adesanya dominates Marvin Vettori to retain middleweight title - in pictures

Nigerian-born champion awarded the fight 50-45 on all three scorecards

Israel Adesanya moves in for a hit against Marvin Vettori during UFC 263 middleweight title fight at Gila River Arena, Glendale Arizona. All photos by Reuters unless stated

Israel Adesanya moves in with a kick as Marvin Vettori defends.

Marvin Vettori lands a hit against Israel Adesanya.

Israel Adesanya moves in for a hit as Marvin Vettori defends.

Israel Adesanya pins Marvin Vettori to the mat.

Marvin Vettori pins Israel Adesanya to the mat.

Israel Adesanya lands a kick.

Marvin Vettori lands a hit.

Israel Adesanya moves in with a kick .

Israel Adesanya lands an uppercut.

Israel Adesanya holds his eye.

Marvin Vettori moves in with a hit as Israel Adesanya defends.

Marvin Vettori reacts following his loss against Israel Adesanya at UFC 263 at Gila River Arena

Brandon Moreno applies a choke hold for the victory against Deiveson Figueiredo during their flyweight title mathc at UFC 263.

Brandon Moreno poses for photos following his championship victory against Deiveson Figueiredo.

Brandon Moreno of Mexico celebrates after defeating Deiveson Figueiredo.

Brandon Moreno of Mexico celebrates. AFP

Brandon Moreno celebrates his championship victory against Deiveson Figueiredo.

Brandon Moreno of Mexico celebrates after defeating Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil to win the flyweight championship. AFP

Brandon Moreno lands a hit against Deiveson Figueiredo.

Brandon Moreno lands a hit.

Brandon Moreno lands a hit against Deiveson Figueiredo.

Israel Adesanya retained his middleweight title on Sunday morning by defeating Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision in the headline bout at UFC 263 at Gila River Arena in Arizona.

Adesanya, who prevailed against the Italian by split decision in 2018, was superior throughout, taking the fight 50-45 on all three scorecards.

It took the Nigeria-born champion's professional record to 21-1, with Adesanya rebounding from his first pro loss – the points defeat to light heavyweight title-holder Jan Blachowicz in March. It marked Adesanya's third successful defence of his middleweight crown.

In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno defeated flyweight belt-holder Deiveson Figueiredo in their rematch to become the UFC’s first Mexican-born champion. Moreno, who shared a majority draw with the Brazilian in December, submitted Figueiredo via a third-round rear-naked choke.

Elsewhere, Leon Edwards survived a late wobble to defeat Nate Diaz on points. The Jamaican-born fighter, the No 3-ranked contender at welterweight, dominated until the final minute, before a straight left from Diaz rocked him significantly. Edwards, though, stayed the course, to triumph 49-46 on all three judges’ cards and lift his win streak to 10.