Adesanya (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Robert Whittaker has won nine straight fights and has defeated several of the sport’s top middleweights during that run. But, it sounds like Israel Adesanya’s pretty certain he’s going to cruise through the middleweight champion at UFC 243.

Adesanya (17-0) has been booked to face the champion at UFC 243 on Saturday, after winning the interim belt this past April, by defeating Kelvin Gastelum.  During a recent media call to promote this weekend’s card, Adesanya had this to say about Whittaker (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“I think he’s a guy I can pick apart easily,” Adesanya said. “But as a challenger, I haven’t faced (him) before, (but) I don’t think [he poses a lot of challenges]. I think he just does what he does very well. But there’s going to be a certain amount of awkwardness that he has that I feel like I haven’t seen before, but he can try and prove me wrong.

“From what I see, I’ll pick him apart quite easily.”

“One-hundred percent [it’s an advantage], you know,” Adesanya said, while discussing the extensive reach advantage he’ll have. “I have attributes that I use very well, and I think what his camp might look at is the last fight and think, ‘Oh, well Kelvin (Gastelum) was able to get close.’

Whittaker (20-4) hasn’t fought since last June, when he recorded a split decision win over Yoel Romero.