I am going to ramble a bit about this fight because the Main Ev is probably my 2 current fave fighters in the UFC right now [style wise]. If I were a professional fighter, My size would dictate that I weigh in at Middleweight, so it's my favorite classification to follow for MMA.
I have followed both Adesanya and Dricus' careers for at least 5 years and have been kind of hoping we get this matchup. Striker v Striker matchup in essence and both a little different than most strikers on the roster. Izzy's been a great champion even if kind of insufferable with public speaking at times. Dricus also had a weird moment of bad-blood calling himself a real African

and that triggered Izzy to explode with n-words on stage when they faced off post DDP's win v...Whittaker?? Anyway, there's some drama there and I think we will get an inspired bout.
One one hand, I think people are kind of forgetting how good Izzy can be, his striking is great, he's put people lights out that fight like Dricus...like Whittaker and Costa, big strikers that can put forward pressure. He counter punched Poatan to an amazing KO in their rematch. This is the longest layoff that Izzy has had professionally -- so the big Q for me is will he be sharp, or a bit rusty? Adesanya's win streak and precision striking are really fun for me to watch, but he hasn't been as 'wow' for me recently. Despite the amazing KO v Pereira, that was kind of a 'rope-a-dope' move, not a true on the feet KO, he got his opponent thirsty and open to counter in a high-risk tactic. Just as easily he could have been put lights out by Poatan.
Izzy/Stirckland was interesting. Adesanya fought horribly against Strickland who isn't necessarily a power puncher, and got rocked in R1 and had absolutely zero counter striking on Sean, he looked so bad on the feet and was a massive favourite too. [sidenote I should have bet big on the +800 Sean on that fight, sigh...] Izzy was not getting shots off and being pushed around all the time... I was not expecting such a skilled striker to be negated like that.
I've watched that fight 3 times total and basically have come to the conclusion that Sean's Philly shell just stumped Izzy and the hesitance of throwing fists and getting tagged made Izzy retreat [always looking for a counter that never appeared]. I then watched Izzy/Poatan 1 and 2 and basically came to the conclusion that Izzy hasn't been on top of his game in 3 fights now, even his fight where he KO'ed Alex he was losing. Alex got a bit eager and left that chin open. DDP will be able to be hit, too, so there is a pathway for a good Adesanya to connect and send DDP to the shadow realm.
In conclusion [Adesanya's side] -- I think we're at the point of Izzy's career where he needs to really push himself harder to reestablish dominance and his challenge is not easy. He needs to be in control on the feet and not repositioning all the time or retreating. If he does that he's asking for a DEC loss, or another big counter strike walk off KO. Both are not good strategic plays IMO.
On DDP's level, he's definitely over-achieved against his matchups. People [but not me, I picked DDP over Rob..] heavily doubted him v Whittaker and Strickland. I rewatched those bouts too. v Whittaker it was pretty even until the pop-right jab connected and Rob didn't see it, it was the beginning of the end. If Izzy is tagged and stunned, he's gonna feel a flurry, he will lose a round for that because DDP will throw 20-30 strikes more than Adesanya's modest output. Sean v DDP was close but Sean was not as effective in R 3-4-5 so I think the DEC win was valid. Sean is also is not a dive down and get muddy finisher, he rocked Izzy and didn't completely control him despite his BJJ and punching prowess...DDP will spring on him and go nuts with big fists, that kind of dirty fight is what DDP should do to win because it's a clear path to victory in my eyes. If DDP is just a little bit patient in his approach to get a KO like he showed vs Rob, he can do the same to Izzy.
I see it this way ... DDP will absolutely take some dmg in the R1 or R2, I don't think he will accept that and attempt to challenge Izzy on the ground. One or two takedowns and I think we see Izzy slowdown or simply get submitted or GNP'ed. Not that Dricus is the best grappler but he's a bulkier build and has a nasty RNC/guillotine. I see Izzy being more defensive as a grappler, I've never seen him really attempt a submission [off the top of my head]. He's good at evading but hasn't really been tested in like 3 years to grapple.
Pathways to win --
Izzy KO - needs counter or a stunning on the feet performance, needs to showcase power to make DDP think about his pressure
DDP KO - needs to connect on Izzy, GNP, or TD into KO, Can make it dirty and get KOs
Izzy Sub - 0%
DDP Sub - 20%, GNP to choke out
Izzy DEC W - point fight
DDP DEC W - control time, and clinch fight
My pick: DDP TKO/KO R3 - GNP into KO finish after a few scrappy rounds.