The expectation when a fighter loses to a fellow top contender in their division is that they root for that guy to go on a run immediately afterword. After all, who wants to lose to the guy that loses his next fight? Jacare Souza may have the answer there.

Or at the very least, the top ranked Brazilian middleweight – fresh off a loss to Robert Whittakerin April – is picking Whittaker to lose to Yoel Romero in the interim title fight booked between the two men at UFC 213. Jacare spoke to MMA Fighting about the upcoming bout:

“I think Romero wins this fight,” Souza said. “He’s stronger, keeps the distance well and is really calm. Robert Whittaker can surprise him and win because he’s really fast for the middleweight division, but I bet on Romero.”

And about the UFC only creating an interim belt once he was out of the immediate title picture:

“Better late than never,” he said. “Robert Whittaker is a great champion and earned this chance. I’m happy for him. And Romero also proved he deserved it by knocking out (Chris) Weidman. They deserve to fight for the interim belt and then fight Bisping.

“The division is finally moving now. I’m coming back and will earn my title shot.”

UFC 213 takes place this Saturday, July 8th, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card will be headlined by a women’s bantamweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko, with the interim middleweight title fight between Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker serving as the co-main event. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for more news and updates as the card approaches.