Israel Adesanya, the man who fights like a video game character. Looking to make yet another defence of his title. Source: UFC
Israel Adesanya predicts Alex Pereira defeats Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya predicts that longtime rival Alex Pereira will defeat Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291.
Adesanya has fought both of these men before — he’s fought Pereira twice in kickboxing and two times in the UFC, plus he’s fought Blachowicz in the Octagon — so if anyone knows their games, it’s Adesanya. So when he goes out there and drops a prediction for their fight at UFC 291 this weekend, you tend to listen.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Adesanya said his official prediction is Pereira to win by knockout.
“I think Alex hits harder. It’s the way he throws, the technique he throws with, the technique – he grounds himself. He’s not running. He’s not moving and throwing. He sits when he gets you where he wants you, especially against the fence. He’ll sit there and throw. That’s how he’s able to hit harder. Jan can definitely learn how to hit harder, but hey, if Jan gets him down, I think he’s just going to control him there for three rounds. Official pick: I’m going to go Alex by knockout,” Adesanya said (via MMAjunkie.com).
It will be interesting to see how this fight plays out. Blachowicz is a well-rounded fighter who is good both on the feet and on the mat, but Pereira has some of the best striking skills in all of the UFC. As Adesanya said, if it goes to the ground, it’s likely that we will see Blachowicz winning, but on the feet, you have to go with Pereira due to his technique and power. There figures to be a lot on the line in this fight, as the winner of this bout will likely get a title shot for the next vacant UFC light heavyweight title fight later this year.
Do you agree with Israel Adesanya that Alex Pereira will beat Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291?
