The Last Stylebender Is Ready To Face The Killa Gorilla

The UFC is ready to take over the week in a complete and stacked card featuring the main event between Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier.

Israel Adesanya will face off against hard-charging challenger Jared Cannonier in an attempt to defend the UFC middleweight championship for the fifth time. Since moving back to middleweight after losing by decision to Jan Blachowicz in their fight for the light heavyweight title at UFC 259 in March, Adesanya has been conducting business as usual. In June of last year, he defeated Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision. He began this year with a victory over Robert Whittaker, improving his record to 22-1.

Cannonier earned this championship opportunity after defeating Derek Brunson in the second round of UFC 271 in February. The former heavyweight is 5-1 since moving up to 185 pounds, and he provides a power/speed combo that Adesanya hasn't yet had to deal with inside the Octagon.

A technical, flamboyant champion will face a sturdy, no-nonsense challenger in this incredibly fascinating contest, which should be the thrilling conclusion to a fantastic Cagefighting evening. Although Adesanya is unquestionably and deservedly the favorite going into this bout, it is possible that the outcome could be closer than the odds suggest.

In the co-main event, for the third time, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski square off with the featherweight title. Holloway is motivated to win and reclaim the belt he previously had, while Volkanovski is eager to maintain his title and put this rivalry to rest once and for all.

Volkanovski is among the sport's most complete fighters, his rich and varied skill set complementing his supernatural attributes inside the Octagon. The Australian champion has never been uncomfortable in any setting. He has utilized his two successful title defenses since his last encounter with Holloway to demonstrate his dominance.

With a lopsided fourth-round knockout victory against Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273 in April, Volkanovski improved to 11-0 in the organization and extended his winning run to 21 fights.

Since losing two close decisions to Volkanovski in their back-to-back bouts at UFC 245 and UFC 251, all Holloway has done is put up two virtuoso performances against elite competitors Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez. The 30-year-old former champion smothered both fighters with his infernal volume and pace, landing an absurd 675 significant strikes throughout the two 25-minute fights.

With only millimeters separating the two top featherweights in each of their first two fights, it's time to see whether anything has changed as we get set for Rounds 11 through 15, possibly, on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Will Volkanovski keep his championship and exclude Holloway from title contention, or can "Blessed" advance the series, reclaim the featherweight kingdom, and possibly set up the fourth encounter between these two exceptional fighters?

Rated bantamweight standouts Pedro Munhoz of Brazil and Sean O'Malley of Ireland will be looking to get back on the winning side, while Munhoz will be up against his most challenging test.

Also on the card is Sean Strickland and Alex Pereira square off before Adesanya and Cannonier fight for the middleweight championship in the main event. The outcome of this fight may very well determine who will face the victor.

Hawkeye Prediction:

Adesanya Wins By Unanimous Decision

Max Holloway Wins By Unanimous Decision

Sean Strickland Wins By TKO

Sean O'Malley Wins By KO

What are your predictions for this fight?? comment below and let us know!!! And be sure to purchase your fighting needs at Hawkeye Fightwear!