“I think the fight will end earlier this time,” the Australian told Sky Sports. “I think Izzy will finish him in the third round – I don’t know why I say ’round three’, but that’s my choice. I really believe that he will win ahead of schedule, and I look forward to it. Obviously he has something to prove. With the right plan for the fight, he will succeed, and I hope this victory will add to his many highlights.
A middleweight title rematch between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya will be the main event of UFC 287 on April 8 in Miami.
The Nigerian said on the eve that he was going to arrange a “bloodbath” for the Brazilian, who last November took away his championship belt by TKO in the fifth round.