[12] He was inspired to train mixed martial arts after watching fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko in PRIDE on television when he was sixteen.

The second session would be in the evening to work on either conditioning or BJJ training which usually would end at 10 p.m.[9][2] Vettori fought in the European circuit and amassed a record of 10–2 prior joining the UFC.

[18] Both Vettori and Carlos Júnior committed eyepokes and received a warning each from the referee but no point was deducted.

The fight lasted three rounds and Vettori lost via unanimous decision, with 29–28 scores across the board.

[24] Vettori's next fight was scheduled on April 14, 2018, against future champion Israel Adesanya at UFC on Fox 29.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency determined that the positive test was the result of a contaminated dietary supplement, and found no evidence of intentional use of the banned substance.

[30][31] However, it was reported that Sanchez was forced to pull from the event due to an eye infection, resulting in the cancellation of the bout.

[32] In turn, the pairing was left intact and eventually took place a month later at UFC Fight Night 161.

[34] Vettori was scheduled to face Darren Stewart on March 21, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs.

[46] Vettori instead faced Jack Hermansson on 5 December 2020 at UFC on ESPN 19, after Hermannson's original opponent Kevin Holland tested positive for COVID-19.

[59] Vettori was scheduled to face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker on June 11, 2022, at UFC 275.

[69] However on March 14, it was announced that Vettori had withdrawn due to an injury,[70] and was replaced by Chris Curtis.

[71] Vettori is scheduled to rematch Roman Dolidze in the main event on March 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 254.

[72] Vettori competed in a no gi grappling match, replacing Belal Muhammad, against Tarek Suleiman in the co-main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023.

[74] On March 24, 2023, Vettori took part in a brawl against the Italian rapper Ion at a boxing event in Milan in which he was present as a guest spectator.