Israel Adesanya believes Jiri Prochazka will recapture the light heavyweight title at UFC 295.
Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is set to face Alex Pereira (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant 205-pound belt in Saturday’s main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card will be broadcast on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.
Former UFC middleweight champion Adesanya has a long-standing rivalry with Pereira. The two have crossed paths four times – twice in kickboxing and twice in MMA. Adesanya clinched a victory over Pereira when he knocked him out at UFC 287, prompting “Poatan” to move up a division.
On his YouTube channel, Adesanya praised Pereira, calling him “a special human being,” and highlighted his potential to put opponents to sleep. “His story is very impressive, what he’s done in kickboxing, coming to the UFC and hunting me down, getting hunted and then going up to 205 now and looking to claim a second belt,” Adesanya stated.
Despite his respect for Pereira, Adesanya believes Prochazka will be able to control Pereira’s power and predicts that the fight won’t go the distance. “You can diffuse the bomb – that’s the thing. You have to find out how to diffuse the bomb. It’s exciting, but regardless, I’m going with Jiri Prochazka,” Adesanya said.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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