Having biased opinions is not a crime, however, in the case of Israel Adesanya, it always rubs off the wrong way for the fans, and rightfully so. Looking at the rivalry between both men, it’s hard to see Izzy and Poatan supporting each other, and it continues to be the case even almost a decade since they first competed inside against each other during Glory Kickboxing days.
Ahead of UFC 303, where Alex Pereira defends his LHW title for the second time in a rematch against Jiri Prochazka, Israel Adesanya’s prediction for the main event did not sit well with the fans. The former Middleweight king has picked Jiri to get the job done against Pereira, and that too via stoppage in the 3rd/4th round.
Israel Adesanya’s “biased” opinion on UFC 303 headliner infuriates MMA fans
What’s baffling is the lack of breakdown from Israel Adesanya, something you would expect from a fighter of his caliber.
“I am gonna go with Jiri, because we are the chosen few. But also, I think he might have learned from his mistake. People don’t understand. And also, it makes things interesting, he beats him, then there’s a trifecta. And I wouldn’t be the only one to knock this out. I am gonna go with Jiri, and I am gonna go by 3rd/4th round finish.” Adesanya said.
UFC fans were quick to bombard the comment section as soon as the video made rounds on social media. In a clip shared by X account, Championship Rounds, fans did not take it easy on the former Champion.
In the past, Adesanya has picked Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Prochazka in the first fight, and more recently Jamahal Hill to beat Alex Pereira. While it’s one thing to give a biased prediction on your favorite fighter, it’s another when you pick a certain fighter to win purely based on your “hatred” for another.
Be that as it may, there’s an obvious possibility that Proachazka will get the job done this weekend. However, the bigger question that probably even Adesanya failed to address is Poatan’s leg kicks. And looking at the trouble Jiri had with leg kicks against Aleksandr Rakic, it’s bound to play a huge factor in the fight, probably more than Pereira’s left hook.