Israel Adesanya returns to action this weekend as he defends his middleweight belt against former opponent Robert Whittaker.
Adesanya remains undefeated at middleweight with a 21-0 record, with the only loss of his career coming at light heavyweight against Jan Blachowicz.
Although he has previously defeated Robert Whittaker, the Australian comes into the fight off the back of an impressive streak following his loss to Adesanya in 2019.
Whittaker has gone on a three match winning streak against very tough opposition, defeating Liverpool's Darren Till, as well as Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum.
Adesanya has proven himself to be one of the greatest strikers in the UFC, winning 15 of his 22 fights by KO, and will look to impose himself on Whittaker once again when they meet in the octagon.
Ahead of the fight, a number of fighters and personalities having given their predictions.
Daniel Cormier (Whittaker)
"I think it'll be much more competitive - I think Robert Whittaker took time away and shown improvement in the fights that he's had since.
"I don't know how you improve when you're Robert Whittaker when you have defended the belt so many times, but he is and he's getting better.
"I think Whittaker made some mistakes in their last fight and don't think he'll do that this time around."
Anthony Smith (Adesanya)
"If I had to put some money on it, I would put it on Izzy - I think he's the safe bet.
"But Robert Whittaker a live dog, for sure."
Kelvin Gastelum (Whittaker)
"I was telling some guys at the gym the other day, nobody has ever made me felt the way Whittaker did when I fought him - it's like he was operating at a different frequency.
"I was outclassed. I was very impressed.
"I think if he fights like that, he has a huge opportunity to win."
Derek Brunson (Adesanya)
"I could see Whittaker winning, but if I had to pick I'd say Izzy."
Calvin Kattar (Adesanya)
"I am excited about that fight. I am sure Whittaker will come back, made adjustments as he comes in with a lot of momentum.
"I think he's going to show up this time, but Adesanya is a different breed.
"I think throughout the fight it'll be different, but i'm going with Adesanya."
Jared Cannonier (Adesanya)
"It's not going to be the same, I say that because I feel that Robert Whittaker is an exceptional martial artist and I think he'll make the adjustments necessary to try get his title back.
"It could go either way, I like both of those guys.
"I think Izzy has a style that would cater more to him winning - he's tricky, elusive and cerebral - it's a scary style that he has.
Sean Strickland (Adesanya)
"Israel is a crafty mf'er.
"He's a great striker - I think he's going to starch Whittaker."
Michael Bisping (Undecided)
"Israel is going to be the favourite, but I'm really intrigued to see the odds.
"I think it's going to be pretty close.
"Robert is going to be fired up and he knows it's his last chance.
Robert Whittaker (Whittaker)
"People think because it's a title fight I trained harder than usual. No. I always train hard, that is not how I work.
"I am going into this fight with everything I have.
"It's hard to say, but if I could visualise this, I will perform and utilise my entire skillset and make him feel uncomfortable."
Israel Adesanya (Adesanya)
"The first time we fought, he said that Kelvin Gastelum laid out the blueprint of how to beat me... look how that helped him.
"This time he feels Jan Blachowicz laid that out. I say he should do his own homework instead of copying other people.
"You have to learn all aspects of the game - I am still learning but I'm very well-versed."
