Israel Adesanya makes prediction for UFC 303 showdown between his old nemesis Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka

Israel Adesanya has made his prediction for UFC 303's headliner between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. 

The former middleweight champion, who has a long-standing rivalry with Pereira having fought him twice in the UFC, losing the first and winning the second, is well placed to offer his view. 

'Alex knows he can get taken down and controlled, and Jiri knows he can get knocked out,' he explained on his YouTube channel. 

'But also Alex knows he can get touched and hurt by Jiri. Jiri will be mindful [of his injuries], especially when you hurt him or if you think you have a moment, don't rush. Just take your time. It'll come.

'Alex can surprise him as well. If Jiri takes him down, Alex can surprise him with some new s*** on the ground that he's been working on.

'I'm going to go Jiri, and I'm going to go by third round or fourth round finish.'

Pereira has been one of the most impressive fighters in the UFC in recent years having become a champion in two divisions. 

He won the vacant light-heavyweight belt against Saturday's opponent when they first met at UFC 295, securing a second-round TKO. 

And 'Poatan' then defended the belt against Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300. 

The pair agreed a short notice contest this weekend after Conor McGregor dropped out of his scheduled fight against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas. 

McGregor is nursing a broken little toe and pledged to come back when fully fit again later this year. 

Meanwhile, Adesanya recently confirmed his comeback will be for the middleweight title against Dricus du Plessis on August 18 in Perth.