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Stephen Thompson Reviews Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira Kickboxing Fights: ‘Both Haven’t Changed A Lot’

Decorated veteran welterweight striker, Stephen Thompson has taken time to review UFC middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesnaya’s previous kickboxing matches against likely next title chaser, Alex Pereira – claiming that neither have changed their styles drastically in the years since. Thompson, a two-time title challenger under the UFC banner, competed for welterweight gold against then-champion, Tyron […]

Thompson, a two-time title challenger under the UFC banner, competed for welterweight gold against then-champion, Tyron Woodley in 2016 and 2017 – failing to dethrone the St. Louis promotional alum.

In the midst of a two-fight losing skid, Thompson has suffered a pair of back-to-back unanimous decision defeats to the duo of Belal Muhammad, and one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns.

Breaking down the pair of GLORY Kickboxing matchups between UFC middleweight best, Adesanya, and the #6 ranked, Pereira back in 2016 and 2017 to boot.

Sharing his thoughts on Adesanya’s first matchup with Pereira; a contentious 2016 judging loss to the Brazilian, Thompson claimed that the former likely should have landed a victory on the judge’s scorecards.

“I did not see that at all,” Stephen Thompson said on his YouTube channel. “I did not see Alex (Pereira) winning that. That was definitely an Izzy (Israel Adesanya) fight (win). … What were the judges looking at? I have no idea.”

Fast forward a year in the pair’s subsequent rematch, Adesanya, once more likely winning the bout, found himself on the receiving end of quite the left hook from Pereira, felling him and rendering him unconscious for the first time in combat sports – and the last time since.

“He (Alex Pereira) throws that one and two, and if you notice, it was a real tight left hand,” Stephen Thompson said. “Izzy put his hand up to block, but instead of coming right onto the side, it became more of a straight in, which him him right on the jaw, putting him out.”

“Both guys haven’t changed a lot dramatically when it comes to their standup,” Stephen Thompson explained. “This is MMA. Anything can happen, anybody can look for a takedown. You’ve also got to go into the fight thinking that as well. You’ve got to prepare for that. Do I think Alex Pereira is going to look for a takedown? No. I think this fight’s going to to stay standing. I think it’s going to be a classic Muay Thai fight, including the elbows and more knees. … I think it’s going to be a great fight.”

Stephen Thompson picks Israel Adesanya to defeat Alex Pereira

Predicting a victory for Adesanya this time around, Thompson believes third time will prove the charm for the reigning middleweight kingpin.

“No matter what, I want to see this fight,” He said. “Who else is Izzy going to fight but Alex Pereira? These guys have history together. This is the only guy to put Izzy to sleep. I think they’ve got to run it back a third time, third time’s the charm. Izzy’s got to win it, that’s how I see it.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

White Makes A “Fu**ing Guarantee” About Adesanya’s Next Fight

UFC President Dana White has given us his word that Israel Adesanya’s next fight will be a banger. After making his fifth title defense earlier this month at UFC 276, Adesanya is now in rarefied air as one of the promotion’s most dominant c…

Continue Reading White Makes A “Fu**ing Guarantee” About Adesanya’s Next Fight at MMA News.

Dana White Guarantees Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira Fight Will Be ‘Absolutely Batsh** Nuts’

Israel Adesanya successfully defended his title against Jared Cannonier at UFC 276. Unfortunately, the fight failed to wow the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world. Fans were reportedly flocking to the exits of the T-Mobile Arena while the main event was in full swing. ‘The Last Stylebender’ was once again criticized […]

Israel Adesanya successfully defended his title against Jared Cannonier at UFC 276. Unfortunately, the fight failed to wow the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world.

Fans were reportedly flocking to the exits of the T-Mobile Arena while the main event was in full swing. ‘The Last Stylebender’ was once again criticized for his failure to live up to the hype he himself built for the title bout which has become a recurring theme in Adesanya’s title fights.

Speaking to the press following UFC Long Island on Saturday, Dana White was asked his thoughts on Israel Adesanya’s latest fight with Cannonier.

“He won,” said White. “I don’t know if it was the performance that he wanted to give or that he was selling leading into that fight. The other thing is, you know, I don’t think his opponent was very aggressive either. It takes two to make a great fight.”

White was quick to pivot to Adesanya’s next bout which will come against his former Glory kickboxing opponent Alex Pereira who scored a highlight reel first-round knockout over Sean Strickland on the same night that Adesanya defeated Cannonier in Las Vegas.

“It’s interesting. It won’t happen in the next fight. When you’re sitting here in my position, you can’t give too many guarantees. I can say ‘stylistically on paper this should be’, or you know, ‘we feel this is going to be’… I guarantee you. I absolutely positively guarantee you that the next fight that Israel Adesanya fights will be absolutely batsh*t nuts.”

Alex Pereira vs Sean Strickland

July 2nd 2022

UFC 276 pic.twitter.com/DDh6kjzcbS

— OG_Trillmatic (@OTrillmatic) July 8, 2022

Israel Adesanya’s Simple, But Effective Style May Not Work Against ‘Poatan’

In his last six bouts, Adesanya has five victories, only one by finish when he knocked out challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 253. Since then, ‘The Last Stylebender’ has one loss to then-light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz and three straight victories, all by decision.

Adesanya has adopted a style of keeping distance from his opponents, masterfully defending takedown attempts and counter-striking to outpoint his challengers. While there is no disputing that the method has been effective for the reigning middleweight world champion, it leaves many fans sitting on their hands rather than cheering for more.

This style could prove to be a mistake should he attempt to implement it in the highly anticipated showdown between himself and the newly ranked contender Alex Pereira. The two have squared off twice under the Glory of Heroes banner with ‘Poatan’ walking away the victor in both outings. In their second contest at Glory of Heroes 15, Pereira became the first, and to this day, the only man to knock out ‘The Last Stylebender’ with a crushing left.

Pereira will be looking to repeat history while Adesanya hopes to rewrite it when the two meet inside the Octagon for the first time.

Israel Adesanya Claims Sean Strickland Should Have Taken His Advice Before UFC 276 KO Defeat

UFC middldeweight champion, Israel Adesanya has claimed that Sean Strickland should have listened to advice he gave to him prior to his UFC 276 first round knockout loss against division contender, Alex Pereira at the beginning of this month. Undisputed middleweight champion, Adesanya headlined this month’s UFC 276 card against the #2 ranked contender, Jared […]

Undisputed middleweight champion, Adesanya headlined this month’s UFC 276 card against the #2 ranked contender, Jared Cannonier – defeating the Texan over the course of five rounds in a one-sided, forgettable unanimous decision victory.

However, earlier on the main card, Strickland, who entered the event as the #4 ranked contender, suffered a one-sided first round knockout loss to Brazilian kickboxing phenom, Pereira – who is now widely expected to challenge past-opponent, Adesanya later this year in a title outing.

Israel Adesanya hints that Sean Strickland likely overlooked opponent, Alex Pereira

Reflecting on the event, including his own performance, Adesanya insists Strickland should likely have taken advice from him at their pre-fight press conference, and focus his attention on Pereira – rather than a title fight with himself.

“He (Sean Strickland) should’ve listened to me,” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “He should’ve listened to me when I told him, ‘Just focus on the guy you have in front of you, not me.’ He was trying to be like that idiot in the back of the class. I hated having to address that idiot. Like, I’m trying to f*cking work and the guy I’m focused on is next to me or down the line and this idiot, this dumbass in the back of the class just disrupting.”

“I was like, ‘Yo, it’s not me you need to worry about. Focus on this guy (Alex Pereira),’” Israel Adesanya explained. “He thought he had the opportunity, and I’m like, ‘OK, bet,’ If he actually did what he had to do, me and him would be fighting next.”

Adesanya further claimed that Strickland fought with his ego with his decision to stand in front of the former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion.

“Don’t fight with your ego, he fought with his ego,” Israel Adesanya said. “He said, ‘I thought I was doing pretty well.’ You’re not doing pretty well. … I’ve seen this before, I’ve done this before. You can see it coming. … I was like, ‘change up,’ but Pereira didn’t need a change-up. He just threw a left hook, really, really simple. Boom dropped him, right hand, finished him.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

Alex Pereira Mocks Daniel Cormier For Losing To Jon Jones in Clap-Back

Alex Pereira has hit back at Daniel Cormier for comments minimizing his win over Sean Strickland at UFC 276. Pereira, previously unranked, surged to #6 in the middleweight rankings following his KO of Strickland. The Brazilian now looks set to face cha…

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Mocks Daniel Cormier For Losing To Jon Jones in Clap-Back at MMA News.

Luke Rockhold Says Sean Strickland is ‘F***ing Dumb’ Following UFC 276 Loss to Alex Pereira

Luke Rockhold was very critical of Sean Strickland following the No. 4 ranked fighter’s knockout loss to unranked opponent Alex Pereira at UFC 276. While speaking to Submission Radio about his own return to the Octagon, Rockhold discussed Sean Strickland’s bout with Pereira and believes the ever-controversial middleweight lost the bout mentally which lead to […]

Luke Rockhold was very critical of Sean Strickland following the No. 4 ranked fighter’s knockout loss to unranked opponent Alex Pereira at UFC 276.

While speaking to Submission Radio about his own return to the Octagon, Rockhold discussed Sean Strickland’s bout with Pereira and believes the ever-controversial middleweight lost the bout mentally which lead to his first-round knockout.

“I think he got conned by the system,” Rockhold said. “Sean, he just proved how f*cking dumb he is. The system wanted him to try and stand with him and prove that stupid point, and he just [fell for it]. It happens. It happens to a lot of people. You try to over-prove yourself and do something stupid. That’s the game, that’s the fight game. It’s a mental f*cking battle, and he lost the battle.”

Rockhold was scheduled to face Sean Strickland at UFC 268 in November 2021, but the bout fell through when Rockhold was forced to withdraw due to injury. Now the former UFC and Strikeforce champion will make his long-awaited return at At UFC 278 on August 20th in Salt Lake City. There, he faces one-time UFC title challenger Paulo Costa.

Luke Rockhold Calls Pereira vs. Adesanya a ‘Compelling Story’

With Pereira’s big win over Strickland, he finds himself sitting in the No. 6 spot in the middleweight rankings and is likely the next in line for a shot at Israel Adesanya‘s middleweight crown.

Pereira and Adesanya are very familiar with one another. Competing twice under the Glory kickboxing banner, ‘Poatan’ defeated ‘The Last Stylebender’ twice including a brutal knockout at Glory of Heroes 15 in 2017.

“Yeah, it’s an intriguing story, Alex Pereira has beat ‘Izzy’ twice,” Rockhold said. “And so you’re looking at any level of intrigue, and so they’re looking for someone that they can throw in the mix, even though Alex Pereira would get mauled by, 20 guys in the UFC would probably maul him. But yeah, it’s a compelling story Israel Adesanya if you get him past a brawler like Sean Strickland. So, they did it, and it’s up and going. So, it’s my job to go f*cking deter that.”