UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori is confident he would wipe the floor with Israel Adesanya if the two rivals meet for a third time in the cage.
Vettori and Adesanya have fought twice before in the UFC, with Adesanya winning a split decision in 2018 and a unanimous decision against the Italian last June.
The No.2 ranked middleweight Vettori got back in the win column last October by outpointing Paulo Costa following his second loss to Adesanya.
Vettori's training has been limited since that fight after dealing with a knee injury, but he is hopeful of booking his next fight in the coming months.
And 'The Italian Dream' analysed his rematch with Adesanya but thinks he has improved drastically since their fight last year.
"He surprised me, here and there, on the ground just because he has a very weird style, but other than that I really think I'm the better fighter," Vettori told Mirror Fighting.
"I'll catch up to him really fast, I already did I think. It's just about facing him again, getting the chance again and with the mindset i have now I don't think he stands a chance.
"It's crazy like, I'm going to make it look easy. The confidence I have is just crazy right now for when I fight again, so that was mainly how I think about that fight.
February marks a big month for Vettori's division, with Adesanya scheduled to defend his middleweight belt in a rematch against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271.
In the co-main event of that card No.3 and No.4 middleweights Jared Cannonier and Derek Brunson will look to edge one fight closer to a title shot.
Depending on the outcome of UFC 271, either Cannonier, Brunson or Vettori could be next in line for a shot at Adesanya or Whittaker.
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Vettori thinks Whittaker is the more favourable matchup for him then Adesanya, despite the damage he would inevitably take against 'The Reaper'.
"They're both tough, they're both good fighters. I think it would be easier for me to win against Whittaker, but it would a way harder fight," he explained.
"I'd come out way more beat and bruised up. Meanwhile it might be a harder fight with Israel, but I'll come out unscathed because he won't hurt me with nothing.
"He won't be able to, he can't. Not even with his best shots. That's how I see it, i'm in a little bit of a weird spot but my next fight will be so impressive people will jump back on the hype train."
