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Israel Adesanya defends 1-3 fight record against UFC rival Alex Pereira: ‘It’s quality over quantity here’

Israel Adesanya defends 1-3 record against Alex Pereira it's quality over quantity over here UFC UFC middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya has defended his 1-3 losing record against former division champion, Alex Pereira – claiming “it’s quality over quantity” off the back of his skid-snapping victory at UFC 287 last month. Chalking up his first professional victory across combat sports against Sao Paulo native, Pereira back in April in the main […]

UFC middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya has defended his 1-3 losing record against former division champion, Alex Pereira – claiming “it’s quality over quantity” off the back of his skid-snapping victory at UFC 287 last month.

Chalking up his first professional victory across combat sports against Sao Paulo native, Pereira back in April in the main event of UFC 287, Adesanya landed a stunning second round knockout win over the Brazilian in the pair’s championship rematch.

First matching the Pereira during their respective tenures under the GLORY Kickboxing banner back in 2016, Adesanya suffered a debated and controversial decision loss, before dropping a thunderous KO defeat of his own in a rematch the following year.

Headlining UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, Adesanya had racked up an impressive lead on all three judge’s scorecards before suffering a standing TKO loss to Pereira in the fifth and final round.

Snapping his streak of losses against the former two-weight kickboxing champion in Miami, Florida last month, Israel Adesanya rallied himself in the second round, sending Pereira to the canvas with a brutal KO loss.

Israel Adesanya makes his case for bragging rights against rival, Alex Pereira

Responding to claims that “numbers don’t lie” in the aftermath of their UFC 287 clash from Pereira, Adesanya claimed that the quality of his knockout victory surpasses the quantity of the Brazilian’s triumphs against him.

“It’s quality over quantity over here,” Israel Adesanya tweeted in response to Alex Pereira. “3-1, you can keep that. Whatever helps you SLEEP at night…”

Expected to fight either former champion and past-foe, Robert Whittaker, or surging middleweight contender, Dricus du Plessis next, Adesanya has been earmarked to headline a Sydney, Australia return for the UFC later this year.

As for Pereira, the knockout kingpin is slated to make a light heavyweight move for his next Octagon outing – weighing up a series of fights against the likes of Magomed Ankalaev, former champion, Jan Blachowicz, as well as current undisputed gold holder, Jamahal Hill.

Alex Pereira teases UFC return, light heavyweight division debut: ‘I’ll let you guys know who’s next soon’

Former UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira appears to be in line for a quickfire return to the Octagon following his knockout loss to Israel Adesanya last month, ahead of an expected light heavyweight division move. Pereira, the current #1 ranked middleweight contender the banner of the UFC, headlined UFC 287 back in April against four-fight […]

Pereira, the current #1 ranked middleweight contender the banner of the UFC, headlined UFC 287 back in April against four-fight series opponent, Adesanya, dropping his first loss to the Nigerian-Kiwi in the form of a thunderous second round KO loss in the pair’s midldeweight title fight.

In the immediate aftermath of his knockout defeat to the City Kickboxing staple, Pereira, a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion under the banner of GLORY Kickboxing, was touted to make a 205lbs climb by UFC president, Dana White.

Alex Pereira shares update on his impending light heavyweight debut

And confirming his next step in the wake of his first Octagon blemish, Pereira confirmed he would be making a move to the light heavyweight division for his next fight.

“Hi, folks, like I promised, I’ll announce you big news on my channel,” Alex Pereira said. “My next fight will be in 205[lbs] [division]. Yeah, you heard right – my next fight will be in 205[lbs]. I think I did my work in 185 and now I’m feelin’ good to go up to 205. Like I told you, when I’m feeling good, I will go up – this will be something natural. And now I think it is.”

“… All of you saw the provocation from (Israel) Adesanya after the fight – he acts as if he has won against me three times,” Alex Pereira explained. “But it’s not like this. But I understand – or try to understand, the happiness he has. It was his dream to win one time against me. And now he did. But let’s see what will be his behavior. I’m going to light heavyweight because it’s a good option for me. But I’m sure if I stay in this division (middleweight), I can fight against him directly. Let’s see, how he behaves.”

Urged to avoid a fight with recent vacant title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira has been tipped to defeat the likes of former champion, Jiri Prochazka, as well as current gold holder, Jamahal Hill – en route to a second Octagon championship reign.

Providing a brief update on his future to kick off this week, the Brazilian confirmed on social media that he would be providing fight news soon ahead of his light heavyweight division bow.

“I’m comin’ up,” Alex Pereira posted on his official Instagram. “I’ll let you guys know who’s next soon.”

Alex Pereira teases some incoming UFC fight news.

Slated to make his 205-pound light heavyweight debut. Who do you hope the opponent is?#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/vbqhp7SRnH

— MMA DIRT (@MMADIRTcom) April 30, 2023

Israel Adesanya denies landing ‘Hail Mary’ knockout win over Alex Pereira at UFC 287: ‘It’s freestyle’

Two-time UFC middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesanya has denied claims that his knockout blow against arch-rival, Alex Pereira was a “hail mary” strike at UFC 287 last month – admitting he knew he could take some of the Brazilian’s strikes at the Octagon fence. Adesanya, who headlined UFC 287 last month in an undisputed middleweight championship […]

Adesanya, who headlined UFC 287 last month in an undisputed middleweight championship rematch against arch-foe, Pereira, managed to rack up his first victory over the Sao Paulo native in their four-fight series.

Countering after being stunned at the Octagon fence in the second round, Adesanya launched two massive counter right hooks, dropping Pereira to the canvas as he recorded a spectacular KO, reclaiming his middleweight title.

Israel Adesanya denies the need for a hail mary finish of Alex Pereira at UFC 287

However, receiving some flak for his performance with many in the community claiming Adesanya luckily found a “hail mary” strike to finish Pereira, the Nigerian-Kiiw has denied that theory, calling his method to success, “freestyle”.

“He (Alex Pereira) hurt my leg,” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “I’m like, ‘Right, if I go southpaw to hide it…’ He hits me in the body and I’m like, ‘F*ck, okay, you know what? Just give it to him. He’s gonna come close.’ I’m like, ‘You’re right there now,’ so I gave him a few shots, cause I knew I could shell and I could see everything. Right, checkmate, boom. What f*cking hail mary is that? It’s freestyle.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Expected to return before the close of this year in a comeback to Sydney, Australia for the UFC, Adesanya has been earmarked to fight either former foe, Robert Whittaker, or surging contender, Dricus du Plessis next – taking umbrage with comments made from the latter in his pursuit of a title shot against him.

“He’s (Dricus du Plessis) created division,” Israel Adesanya said. “This is not the time for that sh*t. You could have definitely got the fight without talking all that sh*t. Well, be careful what you wish for. You got what you want. He’s next. I’m going to f*cking beat him until he’s black.”

“I’m going to f*cking take him to school, in the Octagon, and on history,” Israel Adesanya explained. “What he’s doing is creating divide. You can’t not know your history – I have never questioned him as an African, because yeah, you were born in Africa. South Africa. Of course, you’re an African. I have never questioned that. But who the f*ck is this cracker to tell me who the f*ck I am? Who the f*ck Kamaru (Usman) is, who the f*ck (Francis) Ngannou is? I’m like, are you dumb? As a product of colonization, you’re trying to tell me who the f*ck I am. You can take the boy out of Africa, but you can never take Africa out of the boy.”

Jorge Masvidal weighs up UFC return following recent retirement: ‘I’ll never say I’ll never come back’

Just weeks removed from his retirement from mixed martial arts competition, former two-time welterweight title challenger, Jorge Masvidal is already contemplating a return to the UFC. Masvidal, a former two-time welterweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, co-headlined UFC 287 on home soil in Miami, Florida earlier this month, dropping his fourth consecutive […]

Just weeks removed from his retirement from mixed martial arts competition, former two-time welterweight title challenger, Jorge Masvidal is already contemplating a return to the UFC.

Masvidal, a former two-time welterweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, co-headlined UFC 287 on home soil in Miami, Florida earlier this month, dropping his fourth consecutive defeat in a one-sided unanimous decision loss against Brazilian contender, Gilbert Burns.

Without a victory since a symbolic BMF championship win over Nate Diaz back in November 2019, Masvidal had dropped successive losses to Kamaru Usman, and former training partner, Colby Covington.

Jorge Masvidal contemplating potential UFC return

Announcing his decision to hang up his gloves with immediate effect off the back of his unanimous decision loss to Burns at UFC 287 in ‘The Sunshine State’, Masvidal appears receptive of a potential retirement-snapping return to the Octagon already.

“I love this sport so much, I love it so much,” Jorge Masvidal told ESPN MMA during a recent interview. “I cried for many days after I retired. Not because I’m so hurt, just because I love this sport. Since 11, 12 years old, this is all I did – it’s so much love and passion in my heart, so i’ll never say that I’ll never come back, you know, because I love this sport so much.”

“Here’s the honest truth,” Jorge Masvidal explained. “I’m still fast, I’m still explosive. I have a good endurance, I know so much more about the sport than when I started, but there’s just a couple things as you get older, they slow down. I’ve been feeling from like 34 to like 37, that in my department, and solely in that department, my reflexes and reaction time took a big dip.”

Admitting he has slowed down in his recent Octagon walks since enjoying a winning run over Diaz, Ben Askren, and Darren Till back in 2019, Masvidal echoed that he would consider a comeback in the future.

“It’s not where it used to be even when I was 35 – when you ask me about coming back to fighting, my heard, body, mind, soul, all of it wants to do it, but do I now want to be like a stepping stone because I don’t have that word,” Jorge Masvidal said. “I see the punches and I react right away and I know exactly what you’re gonna do and where you’re gonna be next, so it’s slightly slowed up in the smallest of ways.” (Transcribed by Mirror)

Alex Pereira insists he’s still better than Israel Adesanya despite UFC 287 loss: ‘Numbers don’t lie’

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has insisted that despite suffering a thunderous second round KO loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 earlier this month, he is still better than the two-time division champion – pointing to his three prior successes against the latter. Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, […]

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, headlined UFC 287 against Adesanya earlier this month in Miami, Florida – dropping his undisputed title in a stunning, second round knockout loss to the City Kickboxing staple.

The matchup came as the fourth time Pereira and Adesanya traded leather, with the Brazilian landing three shutout consecutive victories before his loss at UFC 287.

Chalking his first triumph as part of their four-fight series with his knockout win, Adesanya balked at an immediate championship trilogy fight with Alex Pereira off the back of UFC 287, with the Sao Paulo native in turn, set to make a light heavyweight division leap.

Alex Pereira reminds Israel Adesanya of the score from their four-fight series

Taking solace in his sole win over Pereira in ‘The Sunshine State’, Adesanya has been told to steady his celebrations by the Brazilian – who reminded him of the 3-1 deficit he still finds himself up against off the back of UFC 287.

“We are the best,” Alex Pereira tweeted, accompanied by footage of his prior fights with Israel Adesanya. “But I’m still better. Numbers don’t lie. 3:1.”

We are the best. But I’m still better. Numbers don’t lie. 3:1. pic.twitter.com/Y8hxlyAwyZ

— Alex "Poatan" Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) April 29, 2023

Yet to book his impending light heavyweight debut, Pereira has been tipped to avoid a potential fight with former vacant title chaser, Magomed Ankalaev in his promotional debut, however, has been backed to improve the division by former champion, Jiri Prochazka to boot.

As for Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya, the two-time middleweight champion is expected to fight the winner of a Robert Whittaker versus Dricus du Plessis title-eliminator later this year, in an earmarked Sydney, Australia outing for the UFC.

Israel Adesanya reveals he suffered significant knee injury prior to UFC 287: ‘It added to my confidence’

Reigning UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya seems to have entered his latest fight with a significant injury. Earlier this month, Adesanya would rematch Alex Pereira, and win arguably the most important fight of his professional fight after suffering a stoppage loss just six months earlier. Adesanya would land a clinical right hand before following it […]

Reigning UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya seems to have entered his latest fight with a significant injury.

Earlier this month, Adesanya would rematch Alex Pereira, and win arguably the most important fight of his professional fight after suffering a stoppage loss just six months earlier. Adesanya would land a clinical right hand before following it up, shutting Pereira’s lights out and retaining his title.

Israel Adesanya’s knee injury

Talking on his YouTube channel, Adesanya would reveal that he suffered a significant knee injury prior to the bout, releasing a video of him training when it occurred.

Israel Adesanya suffering a knee injury

“I’ve been here before,” he said. “My UFC debut, three weeks out, I did my right ankle. I remember the next day, or that night, calling [his physiotherapist], and being like, ‘Yo, I need to see you tomorrow, ASAP.’

“He had to like re-injure it, or cause pain to it — I don’t know. It’s f****** magic or whatever, but I remember biting on a towel and sitting there in pain, screaming as he’s f****** massaging my hurt ankle where it’s not supposed to be massaged, because it hurt, but you’re supposed to.” (H/T MMAFighting)

“So I was like, ‘This has happened. This is my perspective. This was meant to happen. I’ll overcome this.’” Adesanya continued. “So the comeback of getting from then to the cage was already a big win for me, because after doing that — because that was really f****** bad — but I was like, if I can get through that and get to the cage, this fight, I can get through it. So it added to my confidence, added to my fortitude. I was like, they can’t break me.”

While no date has been decided, Adesanya is set to face the winner of Robert Whittaker Vs. Dricus Du Plessis.

Who would you like to see Israel Adesanya face next?