The middleweight division’s crossroads collision between Marvin “The Italian Dream” Vettori (19-9-1) and Brunno “The Hulk” Ferreira (14-2-0) headlines the early prelims of UFC 323 on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Vettori, the No. 14-ranked contender, enters desperate to halt a three-fight skid that has seen him drop gritty decisions to elite competition, including a bruising “Fight of the Night” loss to Brendan Allen in July. The 32-year-old Italian southpaw, a former title challenger, has leaned on his iron chin and wrestling fundamentals but risks falling out of the rankings entirely with another defeat. Ferreira, unranked but surging with back-to-back submission wins in 2025, represents a dangerous step up— the 33-year-old Brazilian finisher boasts a 100% finish rate in his victories and explosive knockout power that could exploit Vettori’s recent vulnerability to damage accumulation. This three-round prelim scrap pits Vettori’s volume and durability against Ferreira’s one-punch threat and grappling surprises, in a bout that could redefine both men’s trajectories heading into 2026.
Venue Location
The fight unfolds at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada (part of the Las Vegas Valley), at 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Opened in 2016 as the home of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, this 20,000-seat state-of-the-art venue has hosted 15 UFC events, including blockbuster cards like UFC 229 (McGregor vs. Khabib) and UFC 229’s infamous post-fight melee. Adjacent to the New York-New York Hotel & Casino and the Las Vegas Strip, it’s accessible via the Las Vegas Monorail (MGM Grand station) or rideshares (Uber/Lyft drop-offs at Park MGM). Premium features include a 360-degree video board, luxury suites, and fan zones with interactive displays; concessions offer everything from craft beers to MMA-themed eats like “Knockout Nachos.” UFC 323 marks the promotion’s final PPV of the ESPN era before transitioning to Paramount+ in 2026—expect a rowdy, sold-out crowd of 18,500+ (tickets via Ticketmaster start at $125 for upper-level prelim views, with parking at $50 in the T-Mobile garage).
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT) for early prelims (Vettori-Ferreira slot around 7:40 p.m. ET)
Broadcast: ESPN+ (early prelims), ESPN/ESPN+ (prelims at 8:00 p.m. ET), ESPN+ PPV (main card at 10:00 p.m. ET). Streaming available on UFC Fight Pass for international viewers; radio coverage on SiriusXM Fight Nation.
Injury Report
Both fighters enter healthy after full camps, with no active injuries reported as of Thursday. Vettori’s history includes a severe shoulder issue (rotator cuff and labrum tear) that sidelined him for nearly two years, requiring surgery in June 2024 and forcing him out of a 2024 bout with Allen—he’s now fully recovered and credits American Top Team for rebuilding his grappling base. Ferreira has no notable injury setbacks in 2025, bouncing back from a 2024 submission loss without downtime. Pre-fight weigh-ins confirmed both hit 185 lbs cleanly; expect standard cut-related fatigue but no lingering issues.
| Fighter | Status | Recent Injury History | Notes |
| Marvin Vettori | Cleared | Shoulder surgery (June 2024; rotator cuff/labrum); out 20 months prior to March 2025 return | Full grappling integration; no restrictions |
| Brunno Ferreira | Cleared | None in 2025; minor tweaks post-2024 loss | Quick turnaround specialist; 100% finish rate intact |
Fighter Matchups
This matchup contrasts Vettori’s technical grind with Ferreira’s explosive finishes. Vettori’s reach (74″) and volume (4.68 significant strikes landed/min) give him edges on the feet and mat, but Ferreira’s power (50% striking accuracy) and recent sub threats loom large.
Key battles:
Striking: Volume vs. Power
Vettori’s southpaw pressure (45% accuracy, absorbs 4.52/min) meets Ferreira’s orthodox bombs (3.41 landed/min, 50% accuracy, absorbs just 3.34/min). Vettori’s 56% striking defense has held up in decisions, but his chin has absorbed cumulative damage (three straight UD losses). Ferreira’s KO threat (9 of 14 wins) could end it early if Vettori stands. Edge: Ferreira early; Vettori if it drags.
Grappling: Control vs. Transitions
Vettori’s wrestling (1.8 takedowns/15 min, 69% defense) vs. Ferreira’s opportunistic subs (two armbars in 2025, 5 sub wins total). Vettori hasn’t been subbed in 28 pro fights, but Ferreira’s transitions (from his lone UFC sub loss) could surprise. Edge: Vettori—his top control neutralizes Ferreira’s explosiveness.
Cardio & Durability: Marathon vs. Sprint
Vettori’s iron chin (0 finishes absorbed) and five-round experience (56% of UFC fights go distance) vs. Ferreira’s untested stamina (never to decision; longest fight 13:14). Ferreira fades post-R1 (one win past Rd. 1). Edge: Vettori—survives early storm for late dominance.
Recent Form
Vettori is 0-3 in 2025 (all UD losses), extending a skid since his 2023 win over Dolidze. He’s durable but outstruck in volume wars, averaging 115 significant strikes absorbed per fight lately. Ferreira is 2-0 in 2025 (both subs), 4-1 in last five overall, with finishes in four straight wins—his power shines, but cardio questions persist after a Rd. 3 sub loss in 2024.
| Last 5 Fights | Record | Key Win | Key Loss | Notes |
| Vettori | 0-3-0 | N/A | L-UD vs. Allen (Jul. 2025, FOTN) | 100% to decision; absorbed 120+ strikes/fight |
| Ferreira | 4-1-0 | W-Armbar vs. McVey (Jul. 2025, Rd.1) | L-Sub vs. Magomedov (Oct. 2024, Rd.3) | 100% finishes in wins; 11 Rd.1 KOs/subs career |
Fight History
No prior head-to-head—these middleweights have never met. Vettori’s UFC run: 9-7-1, with wins over Hermansson, Roberson; losses to Adesanya (x2), Cannonier. Ferreira’s UFC tenure: 5-2, debut KO over Rodrigues; subs over Petrosyan, McVey highlight his rise. All-time middleweight trends favor Vettori’s experience (28 fights) over Ferreira’s power (16 fights, all finishes).
| Date | Vettori Result | Ferreira Result | Notes |
| N/A | First meeting | First meeting | Vettori 9-7-1 UFC; Ferreira 5-2 UFC |
Betting Trends
Vettori is 3-7 SU in last 10, 4-6 ATS; public fades him (60% money on underdogs in his fights, 7-3 for bettors). He’s 0-5 SU as favorite in 2025 losses, but 9-2 Over in decisions. Ferreira is 4-1 SU last 5, all finishes (100% Under 2.5); 5-2 UFC SU, with 80% KO rate drawing sharp action (65% handle on his ML in 2025 wins). Head-to-head comps: Vettori 2-8 vs. finishers; Ferreira untested past Rd. 2.
Trends: Vettori 9/10 fights Over 2.5; Ferreira 7/7 UFC Under 1.5. Vettori 1-4 SU 2025; Ferreira 2-0 SU 2025.
FIGHT ODDS
Marvin Vettori – 120
Brunno Ferreira + 100
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
