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 combat.
Adesanya competes in his first non-title combat in 5 years when he faces surging contender Nassourdine Imavov in the principle 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 principle occasion at UFC 305 in August.
In Whittaker’s eyes, it was du Plessis’ awkward model — however largely, his brute power 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 type of… I believe Dricus made like a very good blueprint on learn how to beat Adesanya: Bought to make him uncomfortable, come at him, obtained to go at him, make him stress. Don’t give him area to play. …
“I believe Imavov’s obtained the ability set to do this, however I’d nonetheless lean Izzy being the favourite. He can combat that counter-style so nicely, and when you 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 yr. Whittaker was requested by his co-host if the matchup between “The Final Stylebender” and Imavov might be one of many division’s “altering of the guard” matchups.
Whittaker stopped in need of saying it could be for a few causes, largely as a result of he doesn’t see his multiple-time opponent falling brief for the third straight time.
“I don’t know, as a result of Izzy appeared so good towards Dricus till he didn’t,” Whittaker defined. “I don’t know, I believe that Izzy beats Imavov.”
