Marvin Vettori promised to deliver punishment on Paulo Costa.
The former UFC middleweight title contender did just that, besting Costa over five rounds at UFC Fight Night Saturday. The event aired live on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Costa drew the ire of Vettori and MMA fans by missing weight for the contest. Earlier in the week, he declared he could not make middleweight.
The bout was to be contested at 195 pounds before moving all the way to light heavyweight.
It didn’t matter to Vettori.
He showed his skills in picking Costa apart and scoring a one-sided decision.
In the co-main event, Grant Dawson and Ricky Glenn battled to a draw.
Jessica-Rose Clark, Alex Caceres, Francisco Trinaldo and Nicolae Negumereanu were all main card winners.
On the prelims, Gregory Rodrigues, Mason Jones, Tabatha Ricci, Jamie Pickett, Jai Herbert, Jeff Molina, Randa Markos and Jonathan Martinez earned wins.
Rodrigues and Jun Yong Park, who finished off the prelims, earned “Fight of the Night” honors with Vettori and Caceres claiming “Performance of the Night” bonuses.
UFC Fight Night Results
Marvin Vettori def. Paulo Costa via unanimous decision
Grant Dawson vs. Ricky Glenn declared a majority draw
Jessica-Rose Clark def. Joselyn Edwards via unanimous decision
Alex Caceres def. Seung Woo Choi via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:31 of Round 2
Francisco Trinaldo def. Dwight Grant via split decision
Nicolae Negumereanu def. Ike Vullanueva via TKO (strikes) at 1:18 of Round 1
Gregory Rodrigues def. Jun Yong Park via KO (strike) at 3:13 of Round 2
Mason Jones def. David Onama via unanimous decision
Tabatha Ricci def. Maria de Oliveira Neta via unanimous decision
Jamie Pickett def. Laureano Staropoli via unanimous decision
Jai Herbert def. Khama Worthy via TKO (strikes) at 2:47 of Round 1
Jeff Molina def. Daniel Lacerda via TKO (strikes) at :46 of Round 2
Randa Markos def. Livia Renata Souza via unanimous decision
Jonathan Martinez def. Zviad Lazishvili via unanimous decision