Despite losing last year, Israel Adesanya's a slight favorite against rival Alex Pereira heading into their UFC 287 rematch ... and Izzy admits it surprises him, and shows the oddsmakers in Vegas actually do know something about fighting.
"I'm surprised they actually picked me as the favorite cause I am the more polished fighter, but he's the guy who got the tools, he's got that nuke. Only a few fighters in history have that," Izzy continued, explaining why he assumed oddsmakers would've given Pereira the advantage.David Tuaeven just once in your career. You're lucky to face a guy like Alex Pereira even once in your career. So, lucky me.
BetOnline.ag has Adesanya as a -137 favorite . Pereira, who won by 5th round TKO -- a fight he was losing on the scorecards -- is listed at +117 .FYI, bookmakers aren't necessarily picking who they believe will win a fight when they set odds. It's about trying to get as close to even money wagered on both sides -- allowing the sportsbook to collect the vig . However, bettors generally pick the man or woman they believe will win a fight. So, Adesanya's the favorite.
Sticking with the first UFC fight, we talked to Izzy about the end of round 1, where he landed a 3-piece combo, buckling Alex's legs. "One more shot, one more shot is all it took. I did the same thing when I fought my guy Rob [Whittaker] at UFC 243, the last second I dropped him. I'm dangerous every second of every fight."and whether he's added size to combat Pereira, a huge middleweight. Also, with Endeavor buying WWE, to go along with UFC, which"That's later on down the track. Later on down the track.