Israel Adesanya is the middleweight champion, and by most estimations, should remain one after this weekend. Marvin Vettori is a solid challenger, but his UFC record is 6-2-1 (draw). His recent wins are over Kevin Holland (whose stock has dropped), Jack Hermansson (whose stock has always ebbed rather than flowed), and Karl Roberson (also a stock dropper). It’s not exactly the resume of a challenger with a real prospect to become champ.
Nonetheless, it’s a marketable fight. Or at the very least one with a storyline the UFC can sell. Their first fight was a split decision.