Marvin Vettori has said he will never be the same following the death of his younger brother Patrick.
The UFC middleweight lost his 30-year-old brother, Patrick, after a house fire on Tuesday morning in the latter’s apartment in the province of Trento, Italy.
Vettori is one of the UFC’s best fighters at 185 pounds, having challenged Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title in 2021.
Patrick, meanwhile, worked as an estate agent in his family business, Vettori Emotional Homes, and also co-founded a Padel company in his hometown.
“You were and will always remain my number one little brother!” Vettori said in a heartbreaking tribute on his Instagram, which has been translated from Italian.
“You left leaving an unbridgeable void, I will love you until my last breath.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be the same after today because maybe I never told you but my strength has always been you.
“You were the smartest and smartest of the two, you were creating a wonderful future for yourself and I can’t get over it.
“It is said that Jesus prematurely calls the most beautiful souls to have them with him in heaven and so I hope that it is so, that you are there with him looking and watching over us with that goodness that has always distinguished you.
“I love you my brother, and although it will not be easy to continue a life without you, I am heartened to know that one day I will be buried by your side.
“I love you.”
Several members of the MMA community, including UFC commentator John Gooden, have all sent their best wishes to Vettori and his family.
UFC broadcaster Megan Olivi said: “Oh Marvin I’m so sorry, we are praying for all of you.”
Patrick died in a house fire that broke out in his apartment in Mezzocorona, Trentino, according to Italian news outlet TGCom24.
The station reported that an alarm went off in his apartment just before 5am, and although the police and fire services were quick, the 30-year-old passed away from smoke inhalation.
They also stated that Patrick was a candidate for his local elections in Mezzocorona, which were set to take place on May 4.
Just days before his death, he wrote on Facebook: “I want to bring my energy and experience to represent our ideas within the Administration.”
