Can Robert Whittaker become just the second man to defeat Israel Adesanya in the UFC? According to the first fighter to get it done, the answer is 'no'.

Speaking from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi this week, UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz has backed New Zealand megastar Adesanya to defend his middleweight strap against Whittaker in their hyped rematch slated for early 2022.

Headlining UFC 267 against Glover Teixeira on Sunday, Blachowicz has not only backed Adesanya to again defeat the Sydneysider dubbed 'Bobby Knuckles', but predicts it will go much the same way as their first encounter, in 2019.

On that afternoon at Melbourne's Marvel Arena, the Kiwi dropped Whittaker at the end of the opening round, then finished him in the second to steal the Australian's belt in front of some 60,000 fans.

Since claiming UFC gold, Adesanya has defended three times against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori — however lost when moving up in weight to challenge Blachowicz for the light heavyweight crown in March.

Quizzed on who wins Adesanya-Whittaker II, the champ told News Corp: "We will see but I think Israel wins again.

"We see how first fight looks. I think it's going to be a similar way."

Blachowicz also suggested his win over Adesanya would make the Kiwi a more dangerous proposition for Whittaker the second time around.

"I show him (Adesanya) where he needs to work," the champ continued. "Which part of his game.

"So now he will be a little bit better fighter."