Israel Adesanya has the backing of a fellow former UFC middleweight champion ahead of his return to action in the Middle East this weekend.
Adesanya is set to headline the MMA leader's second visit to Saudi Arabia, coming in the form of another UFC Fight Night card in Riyadh on Saturday.
In his return to non-pay-per-view, non-championship assignments after consecutive defeats to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, "The Last Stylebender" is tasked with stalling the charge of a rising up-and-comer in Nassourdine Imavov.
While his opponent comes into the contest riding momentum from three straight wins, Adesanya plans on showing there's life in the old dog yet. And former champ Michael Bisping, for one, expects him to do just that.
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping explained why he's picking the Nigerian-New Zealander to emerge victorious inside anb Arena on Feb. 1.
More than likely Israel Adesanya gets a decision," Bisping said. "I think he uses the jab, I think he lowers his base, I think he’s probably pissed off and a little bit embarrassed. Israel Adesanya, when you’re the champion of the world, when you’re defending the belt so many times and you literally think your sh*t don’t stink and you can beat everybody, you do get a little bit embarrassed. Your pride takes a hit when you lose three out of the last four and you see the middleweight division moving along without you.
Over five rounds, I do believe Israel Adesanya wins via decision," Bisping continued. "I think he maintains range, keeps his distance, moves around, uses all of the space inside the Octagon, and in Saudi Arabia, Israel Adesanya will be the winner.
"The Last Stylebender" will hope to prove Bisping's assessment correct come fight night and taste the winning feeling for the first time since his memorable knockout of Alex Pereira to return to the middleweight throne in April 2023.