This Saturday, in the co-main event of UFC 213, surging Cuban contender Yoel Romero will collide with Kiwi standout Robert Whittaker for the interim UFC middleweight title. Brazil’s Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza – who has long stood out as one of the best middleweights on earth – is one of just a few men to fight both Romero and Whittaker. As such, his thoughts on this fight are particularly interesting.

“I think Romero wins this fight,” Souza told MMAFighting.com. “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.”

While Jacare will not be involved in this interim middleweight title fight – Whittaker swiped that honor when he knocked him out earlier this year – he is happy to see the fight happening all the same.

“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 [undisputed champion Michael] Bisping.”

Though the Bisping is still on the sidelines nursing a knee injury, Jacare believes the division is finally moving again, and is excited for his chance to fight for the title.