Israel Adesanya is predicting a late knockout in the UFC 308 co-main event.
The former two-time middleweight champion will watch on as his long-time rival, Robert Whittaker, faces off with undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Whoever wins will most likely move on to a title fight with the winner of Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2, which is expected to take place during the first few months of 2025.
Adesanya got submitted by du Plessis at UFC 305 in August, so he needs at least one more win before he can realistically get another shot at MMA’s greatest prize.
Israel Adesanya backs Robert Whittaker to KO Khamzat Chimaev
Adesanya thinks that Chimaev will start fast as he always does, but will struggle to get rid of Whittaker and ultimately suffer the first loss of his professional MMA career.
‘The Last Stylebender’ has picked up two victories over Whittaker during his UFC run, and learned during those fights that the Aussie fan favorite is as tough as nails.
“I just think, Khamzat, if he’s gonna win he’s gotta do it in the first or second round with a submission. I don’t see him dropping Rob,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel.
“Rob is a guy not to be f***ed with. Look at his last fight, hopefully, people will remember who he is now. I think Rob will do it again, definitely not as early, I don’t think so.
“I just think he’ll catch him later on. But he has to weather the storm, he has to survive until he can’t… I’m gonna go Rob with this one with the late finish.
“Round 4. I’m gonna go Rob. Round 4, late finish.”
Khamzat Chimaev is confident he will prove Israel Adesanya wrong
Chimaev boasts a perfect 13-0 record, which includes high-profile wins over long-time welterweight contenders Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland.
However, the 30-year-old earned his biggest win to date last time out. Chimaev beat Kamaru Usman by a majority decision when they fought at UFC 294 last October.
Whittaker previously enjoyed an impressive run as UFC middleweight champion, but he’s lost seven times during his career and his opponent thinks that’s a big factor heading into UFC 308.
Chimaev said at the UFC 308 media day: “He knows how to lose, we don’t know, so I’m ready for victory.”
“Who did stop my takedowns?” Chimaev added. “Nobody. I don’t think this guy will be different.
“If Kamaru Usman, he’s a great champion, and he took down everyone, but I took him down, I dominated him in the rounds, easy. What’s going to be different with taekwondo or karate guy?”