Ex-rival backs Adesanya to end losing run

Former middleweight contender Robert Whittaker has backed Israel Adesanya to beat Shara Magomedov and end his four-fight losing run when the pair meet in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5.

The fight is at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. Whittaker, who fought Adesanya twice, told the MMArcade podcast he expects a dominant performance.

“I think the real fight here is Israel versus himself. I want to see Izzy come in the way Izzy of old, you know, his head switched on, focus, laser focus. I think he beats the brakes off Shara, to be honest. I have Izzy all day,” Whittaker said.

Adesanya has lost to Sean Strickland, Nassourdine Imavov, Dricus Du Plessis and Joe Pyfer since his knockout of Alex Pereira at UFC 287, and he was finished in three of those defeats.

It was unclear whether the 37-year-old would fight again after losing to Pyfer, but he has since signed a new UFC contract and made changes to his camp, which he has described as one of the best experiences of his career.

He has also promised “blood in the sand” in his return.

Adesanya beat Whittaker by TKO in 2019 and by decision in their 2022 rematch. The pair have since settled their differences and are on good terms.

Whittaker has moved up to light heavyweight and faces Bogdan Guskov in Australia in February.

Magomedov is a rising star who has beaten Michel Pereira, Marc-Andre Barriault and Armen Petrosyan.

He has recovered well from his first defeat, against Michael Page in February.

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