Derek Brunson can see Robert Whittaker winning, but is leaning towards Israel Adesanya at UFC 271

MIAMI – Derek Brunson is potentially one win away from avenging two of his most disappointing losses.

Brunson (23-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) meets Jared Cannonier (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) at UFC 271 on Feb. 12, the same night as the rematch between middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, which headlines the pay-per-view event at Houston’s Toyota Center.

Adesanya (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) comfortably dethroned Whittaker (23-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) at UFC 243 to unify the promotion’s 185-pound belts, and Brunson thinks the title likely won’t change hands when the pair run things back.

“I can see Whittaker winning, but if I had to pick, I’d probably say ‘Izzy’ repeats and wins and keeps his title,” Brunson told MMA Junkie.

Since losing four of his past six, including stoppage losses to both Whittaker and Adesanya, Brunson has been on a role. With a win over Cannonier, the 38-year-old could very well be next in line, but who would he rather face for the title?

“I just want to beat both of those guys,” Brunson said. “‘Izzy’ is more the guy with all the hype, and everybody sees him as unbeatable, so I’d like to go out there and finish a guy like ‘Izzy.’”