Robert Whittaker (right)(image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Israel Adesanya has made it clear he wants to fight Dricus du Plessis. But, the UFC middleweight champ believes his perennial foe, Robert Whittaker, could sidetrack that hope.

Du Plessis is booked to face Whittaker at UFC 290, which is taking place on July 8th in Las Vegas. The winner of the bout is expected to move on to challenge Adesanya later this year, likely in September.

Recently, Adesanya weighed in on the contest in a video posted to his YouTube channel.“The Last Stylebender” believes Whittaker will very likely be the winner (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“This is the game we play,” Adesanya said. “F***, I just [realized] it is three rounds. Percentage? I say Rob can probably finish him.

“I’d say Rob can probably get him out of there in the second round, or just beat him up for three rounds. Dricus’ only chance — I don’t like to say there’s no way, because there’s aways a way, but he can’t outlast Rob. I think Rob will be faster than him, fitter than him, so he might just have to make it ugly. But Rob can also fight ugly as well, so we’ll se. Honestly, 70 [percent chance Whittaker wins], but I really want Dricus.”

Adesanya was also asked if it bothers him that he could be asked to fight Whittaker for a third time, and in the latter’s home of Australia. The star said he’s okay with the possibility of a third fight, and that there could be “another story there”.

Whittaker face Adesanya for the first time in 2019 and was knocked out in the second round. Their 2022 rematch was much closer, and Adesanya was awarded a unanimous decision win.