UFC Fight Night Costa vs. Vettori

LAS VEGAS — One of the most interesting fight weeks of 2021 will come to its conclusion tonight, as Paulo Costa takes on Marvin Vettori in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night inside the Apex.

This fight, of course, was supposed to take place at 185 pounds and have a major impact on the middleweight division. Instead, it turned into a puzzling chain of events, as Costa (13-1) essentially said he did not intend to cut the weight.

Vettori (17-4-1) eventually accepted a light heavyweight matchup — and 20% of Costa’s purse.

Regardless of the changes, this main event looks like an entertaining one on paper. And it’s important for both combatants, as each is coming off a loss to defending middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in these fighters’ most recent performances.

Follow along with Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim as they provide fight-by-fight recaps and analysis, and/or watch the fights on ESPN+.

Fight in progress:

Middleweight: Jamie Pickett (11-6, 0-2 UFC; +200) vs. Laureano Staropoli (9-4, 2-3 UFC; -240)

Lightweight: Jai Herbert (11-3, 1-2 UFC) def. Khama Worthy (16-9, 2-3 UFC) by first-round TKO (punches) | Watch this fight on ESPN+

Former Cage Warriors champion Herbert finally got his hand raised in the UFC Octagon, and he did so in style with an early finish of Worthy. The TKO came at 2:47 of the opening round, after Herbert rocked Worthy with a right hand and head kick, before eventually putting him away with follow up strikes on the ground. Nine of Hebert’s 11 career wins have now come by knockout.

Jai Herbert put the pressure on Khama and was too explosive for him to keep up with #UFCVegas41

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 23, 2021

The English lightweight was 0-2 in the UFC coming into this matchup, however both losses came against veteran competition, in Francisco Trinaldo and Renato Moicano.

After rattling off seven straight…