The former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya lost and recaptured his title against the heavy-handed Brazilian Alex Pereira. But their rivalry dates back years from when they first met in kickboxing. Despite being 1-1 in the UFC, ‘The Last Stylebender’ has no interest in facing ‘Poatan’ for a trilogy match.
Israel Adesanya Not Interested in Alex Pereira
The Nigerian-Kiwi Israel Adesanya captured the UFC middleweight title in 2019 with a knockout, he then defended his title in five bouts. Later on, he would lose this crown to the US-born Sean Strickland. ‘Poatan’ Alex Pereira is a standout kickboxer who held multi-division titles in GLORY Kickboxing. Since switching to MMA he has earned UFC titles at both light heavyweight and middleweight.
While both Adesanya and Pereira were kickboxers they fought twice in China. The first fight was a decision win for ‘Poatan’ but was a close fight. Their second kickboxing match saw Pereira win by knockout. The two met later on in the UFC with the middleweight title on the line. In the last round, the Brazilian striker won by way of knockout. In their next meeting, Adesanya was able to take victory with a knockout. They’ve met four times overall, twice in kickboxing and twice in the UFC.
‘The Last Stylebender’ sat down for an interview with all-time great Demetrious Johnson and explained why he has no interest in that fight. Israel Adesanya said:
First fight in China, I thought I won. Anyone who has watched the fight – these casuals don’t, these plebs don’t – I thought I won. Even he thought I won until he got his hand raised. Second fight, again I’m beating his ass. And he gets me. And again in New York, beating that, rocked him, took him down, held him down, beat him. And he gets me.
I just knew I can beat this guy! That Miami one I was in a different place. I had to like tap into some darkness for that camp. People who knew me, I was different. Ain’t no way this motherf****er beat me four times. And it’s the story.
So now I beat him once. If I fight him again I knock him out, what’s that, what are they going to say? Oh, it’s 3-2, not enough, best out of 7. I’m like, bro! I’m [35], I’ve only got so many more fights left.
Since their last meeting, Pereira went up in weight and was able to grab a UFC title in the light heavyweight division. ‘Poatan’ himself is interested in the match but wants it to be in the light heavyweight weight class.
At middleweight, Sean Strickland lost the UFC championship to South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis. This weekend at UFC 305, Israel Adesanya will look to reclaim his former title against Du Plessis.