EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva

The UFC’s first pay-per-view of 2019 will go down in Melbourne, Australia and be topped by a middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum. However, arguably the fight most fans are looking forward to is the co-main event where rising superstar Israel Adesanya will take on former champion Anderson Silva.

Ahead of this fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. Most believe Adesanya will be too much for Silva, while one fighter is undecided on who will win.

Here’s what they had to say:

BJPENN.com Fighters Picks: Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva

Jared Gooden, LFA welterweight: Wow. It has to be Israel Adesanya, man. I love Anderson Silva, and I love what he has done with the sport, but you can tell he is kind of on his way out. “Stylebender” is just too new, too amazing, so I think he will win and easily too.

Brad Pickett, retired UFC bantamweight: Adesanya, but my heart says Silva

Renato Moicano, UFC featherweight: I think Anderson Silva. He is a true legend and the biggest name in the sport. Adesanya has good stuff but Anderson is beyond that. I think even Anderson is older and not in his prime he will still win.

Anthony Pettis, UFC lightweight/welterweight: Man, I can’t even pick that one. Israel is a beast the way he strikes but Anderson is dope man. Honestly, I can’t even pick. Anderson is one of my favourite fighters. I’m excited to see it and see him fighting this one, because it is an amazing fight.

Max Griffin, UFC welterweight: Silva was on top before the Weidman stuff. After that, that was it for him. He was one of my favourite fighters. I think his peak has happened. He is just kind of in there so I’m going Israel.

Damien Brown, RIZIN FF lightweight: I think Adesanya wins but I don’t know how. I think the only difference in this fight will be age and athleticism.

Anthony Hernandez, UFC middleweight: I’m sure it will be Adesanya because he is younger and Silva is a lot older. Adesanya is also a good striker. 

Alonzo Menifield, UFC light heavyweight: Adesanya should win because he is youthful. He will probably get him out of there in the second but most likely go to a decision. I look at the two styles and I see them being picky on how they choose their shots.

Bi Nguyen, ONE Championship atomweight: This is a hard question because I am a huge Anderson Silva fan. I really think Israel is going to win. You never want to go against “The Spider” but I have Israel.

Ricky Simon, UFC bantamweight: Just kind of being in the same situation being a young fighter fighting a veteran, I feel like Adesanya has been on a hot streak so I’m going with Adesanya. I think he gets it’s done. 

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Fighters picking Israel Adesanya: Jared Gooden, Brad Pickett, Max Griffin, Damien Brown, Anthony Hernandez, Alonzo Menifield, Bi Nguyen, Ricky Simon

Fighters picking Anderson Silva: Renato Moicano

Fighters undecided: Anthony Pettis

Who do you think will win the fight between Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva at UFC 234?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/6/2019