Marvin Vettori's highly anticipated comeback at UFC Fight Night 254 didn’t go according to plan, leaving the former middleweight title contender grappling with a tough defeat.

After enduring a lengthy layoff due to injuries, Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) stepped back into the octagon at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday, but was met with disappointment as he lost a unanimous decision to Roman Dolidze (14-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC). This matchup was particularly poignant, as it was a rematch following Vettori's victory over Dolidze at UFC 286 in March 2023.

Since his last fight, Vettori made a significant move to Florida, training with the esteemed American Top Team, hoping to revitalize his career. Unfortunately, the results were not as he had hoped. In his emotional post-fight statement shared on Instagram, Vettori struggled to articulate his feelings, saying, "Nothing too bad – just some cuts and bruises. F*ck, man. Life sometimes shows you that even when you give your heart out and everything you’ve got, you still fall short. That was a close fight. Almost had him in the third. But I guess it wasn’t enough."

At just 31 years old, Vettori now faces a sobering reality: he is on the first two-fight losing streak of his career. Having maintained a consistent presence in the top 10 of the 185-pound rankings for over five years, he now risks slipping out of contention. His immediate future remains uncertain, as he pondered on what steps to take next: "Thank you to ATT, the best in the world, bro... Love you guys. Thank you, UFC. What the f*ck can I say, bro? I don’t know."

The stakes for Vettori are higher than ever as he looks to redeem himself. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering about the next steps for this talented fighter. Can he bounce back from this setback and regain his position among the elite fighters in the middleweight division? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: Marvin Vettori’s journey in the UFC is far from over, and he’s determined to write the next chapter of his career.