Robert Whittaker has shared the octagon with former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya twice, and present champ Dricus du Plessis as soon as, so his expertise has led him to a speculation with reference to Adesanya’s subsequent battle.
Adesanya competes in his first non-title battle in 5 years when he faces surging contender Nassourdine Imavov in the primary occasion of UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1. In his most up-to-date look, Adesanya was stopped by du Plessis in Spherical 4 of the primary occasion at UFC 305 in August.
In Whittaker’s eyes, it was du Plessis’ awkward type — however largely, his brute drive that was the distinction maker, and wonders if Imavov can do the identical.
“Is Imavov as tanky as Dricus?,” Whittaker requested on his podcast MMArcade. “I believe Dricus form of… I believe Dricus made like a very good blueprint on the right way to beat Adesanya: Acquired to make him uncomfortable, come at him, received to go at him, make him stress. Don’t give him house to play. …
“I believe Imavov’s received the ability set to do this, however I’d nonetheless lean Izzy being the favourite. He can battle that counter-style so effectively, and for those who don’t fall into his baits, into his traps, he’ll decide you aside.”
Adesanya has dropped two straight and three of 4 heading into his first look of the brand new 12 months. Whittaker was requested by his co-host if the matchup between “The Final Stylebender” and Imavov could possibly be one of many division’s “altering of the guard” matchups.
Whittaker stopped in need of saying it will be for a few causes, largely as a result of he doesn’t see his multiple-time opponent falling quick for the third straight time.
“I don’t know, as a result of Izzy seemed so good in opposition to Dricus till he didn’t,” Whittaker defined. “I don’t know, I believe that Izzy beats Imavov.”
