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Israel Adesanya heaps praise on UFC rival Alex Pereira following title win: ‘I’m grateful he beat me’

Israel Adesanya has showered praise on his four-time combat sports foe, Alex Pereira off the back of his knockout victory over the Brazilian earlier this month, claiming he is “grateful” the Sao Paulo native had previously handed him three consecutive defeats. Notching his first professional victory over Pereira across their four-fight series in both kickboxing […]

Notching his first professional victory over Pereira across their four-fight series in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts, Adesanya managed to clinch the undisputed middleweight championship with a stunning, second round knockout win over the Brazilian in Miami, Florida.

Prior to that triumph, Pereira had landed the middleweight title against Israel Adesanya back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, securing the crown with a standing fifth round TKO. And before their rekindling in the Octagon, Pereira had scored a thunderous KO win over Adesanya in kickboxing, after a contentious decision victory.

Israel Adesanya reflects on victory over rival, Alex Pereira

Admitting that the duo will likely be tied together long after they hang up their respective gloves, Adesanya heaped praise on their rivalry and claimed he was grateful Pereira had landed victories over him.

“I love this game,” Israel Adesanya tweeted over footage of himself and Alex Pereira embracing after UFC 287 earlier this month. “Nothing compares on this planet, in this life than putting it all on the line. One shot, the whole world watching… waiting, then BOOM! HISSTORY. Our individual legends will always be intertwined because of the stories we’ve told with out beautiful violence. I’m grateful we have this rivalry, I’m grateful he (Alex Pereira) beat me. It forced me to grow, made me better. Now I have done the same for him, the gift that keeps on giving… ass whoopings. Shoutout to the Warrior from Brazil, Alex ‘PoAtan’ Pereira.”

Expected to make his Octagon return before the close of this summer, Adesanya has been tipped to headline a Sydney, Australia pay-per-view event either a third fight with former champion, Robert Whittaker, or South African contender, Dricus du Plessis next – with the pair clashing in a July title-eliminator at UFC 290.

Ex-Title challenger Kelvin Gastelum plans UFC welterweight return, targets September fight

Former interim UFC middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum is reportedly targeting both a return to the Octagon as soon as September – as well as a return to the welterweight division for the first time since 2016. Gastelum, the current #11 ranked middleweight contender, managed to return to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 287 earlier […]

Gastelum, the current #11 ranked middleweight contender, managed to return to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 287 earlier this month in Miami, Florida – landing a close, unanimous decision win over Chris Curtis in a Fight of the Night earning effort.

Winning The Ultimate Fighter 17 back in April 2013 with a decision win over Uriah Hall at the middleweight limit, Gastelum fought for an interim division title back in April 2019, pushing current champion, Israel Adesanya the distance in a heralded Fight of the Year decision loss to the Nigerian-Kiwi striker.

Making excursions in welterweight scheduled fights on seven occasions during his Octagon return, San Jose native, Gastelum missed the welterweight non-title limit of 171 pounds – twice missing weight in notably difficult cuts to the division for him.

Kelvin Gastelum eyes welterweight UFC return in September

However, as per an initial report from ESPN reporter, Carlos Contreras Legaspi, Gastelum – who had targeted a recent fight with Dricus du Plessis, is set for a welterweight division return, as he targets his next Octagon outing for September of this year.

“Kelvin Gastelum told us he is coming back to welterweight, UFC executives agreed with the move and he expects to get a fight in September,” Legaspi tweeted. “He also said he will work with Dana White’s nutritionist to make the move.”

He also said He will work with Dana White’s nutritionist to make the move

— Carlos Contreras Legaspi (@CCLegaspi) April 25, 2023

During his tenure at the welterweight limit under the UFC banner, Gastelum landed victories over Rick Story, Jake Ellenberger, Nate Marquardt, and Johnny Hendricks. Furthermore, since his welterweight exit, Gastelum has defeated the likes of Tim Kennedy, Jacare Souza, and former middleweight champion, Michael Bisping.

Israel Adesanya blasts New Zealand media for lack of support: ‘They despise a durty guy like me’

Undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has hit out at the media in New Zealand for the lack of support and coverage shown throughout his Octagon tenure, describing himself as a “durty guy” whom they “despise”. Adesanya, now a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, headlined UFC 287 earlier this month in a […]

Adesanya, now a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, headlined UFC 287 earlier this month in a title showdown with Brazilian knockout artist, Alex Pereira – landing a stunning second round knockout victory in the pair’s hotly contested rematch.

Returning to the winner’s enclosure at the middleweight limit for the first time in his mixed martial arts career, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya had suffering a ffith round standing TKO loss against Pereira back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden in the pair’s championship fight.

Expected to return to the Octagon before the conclusion of this summer, UFC president, Dana White confirmed Israel Adesanya had been chomping at the bit for a return ever since his knockout win over Pereira.

And furthermore, the City Kickboxing staple has been lined up to fight either middleweight contenders, Robert Whittaker, or Dricus du Plessis – with the duo slated to fight each other in a title eliminator at UFC 290 during International Fight Week in July.

Israel Adesanya speaks out on support from New Zealand media

Reacting to a podcast clip in which a host defends Adesanya from media coverage in New Zealand, the City Kickboxing mainstay claimed the media in the country despised him.

“I used to do local media, but the people that own it are ancient and puritans (when they in public), so they despite a durty (sic) guy like me,” Israel Adesanya tweeted. “The feeling is mutual, but also, we live in 2023 earth and we have the internet. So, shout out to you guys!”

Welcoming the possibility of a championship fight against South African contender, du Plessis next, Adesanya urged the Pethora native – who has been clamoring for a title shot against him since UFC 287, to “please win” in his July title-decider against Whittaker.

Israel Adesanya mocks UFC rival Dricus du Plessis following nose surgery: ‘Look at my nostrils’

UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has poked fun at division contender, Dricus du Plessis after the South African underwent a surgical procedure to address a nose injury, which reportedly limited him to just eight per cent oxygen intake during his Octagon tenure. Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion, recently headlined UFC 287 against […]

Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion, recently headlined UFC 287 against Alex Pereira, reclaiming his undisputed title with a second round knockout win over the Brazilian.

In the immediate aftermath of the Miami, Florida main event, Israel Adesanya was linked with a slew of next outings, including a return to light heavyweight in pursuit of a title fight with Jamahal Hill – as well as a title defense at 185lbs against South African contender, du Plessis.

In the midst of a five-fight winning run, du Plesiss, the current #6 ranked challenger managed to land recent victories over both Darren Till, and Derek Brunson since December of last year.

And welcoming a title defense against the Pethora native off the back of his win over arch-rival, Pereira, Adesanya claimed he would drag the carcass of du Plessis across his native country – leading to a heated response from the latter.

Israel Adesanya pokes fun at Dricus du Plessis

Recently undergoing a surgical procedure in order to address a nose injury which reportedly limited him to just an eight per cent oxygen intake over the last three years of his career, du Plessis’ issue was mocked and poked fun at by Adesanya on his official social media.

“Lol he (Dricus du Plessis) only on 8%” Israel Adesanya tweeted. “Look at my nostrils.”

Lol he only on 8%. Look at my nostrils! pic.twitter.com/pv6lS5dFNm

— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) April 21, 2023

Targeting a quickfire Octagon comeback off the back of his rematch win over Pereira earlier this month, UFC president, Dana White confirmed that Adesanya had contacted him and promotional brass in search of a fight before the close of this summer’s UFC schedule.

Israel Adesanya blasted for ‘Holding grudge’ against Alex Pereira’s son at UFC 287: ‘Don’t be petty’

Undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been criticized by past-opponent, former titleholder, Robert Whittaker for “holding a grudge” against the son of former champion, Alex Pereira at UFC 287 – after the City Kickboxing staple pointed a mocking celebration in search of Alessandro Pereira. Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion and two-time titleholder under the […]

Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion and two-time titleholder under the banner of the organization, headlined UFC 287 earlier this month in a title rematch against Pereira – reclaiming the title with a thunderous second round KO win over the Brazilian.

Landing his first victory over Pereira as part of their four-fight series throughout their kickboxing and mixed martial arts careers, Israel Adesanya rallied from a first round deficit against the Sao Paulo native – turning in a devastating second round knockout win over Pereira in Miami, Florida.

Israel Adesanya has been slammed by former-foe, Robert Whittaker

Confirming his pointed celebration was aimed at Alessandro Pereira, critics – including former undisputed middleweight champion, Whittaker hit out at Adesanya for holding a grudge against the teenager.

“The bit with (Alex) Pereira’s son was a bit petty,” Robert Whittaker told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “He (Israel Adesanya) said it himself, he’s a petty dude – but, dude, you can’t hold a grudge on five-year-olds. If I held a grudge with every five-year-old that p*ssed me off, I’d be fighting for the next 40 years of my life.”

“To everyone listening and watching, that doesn’t make it a good thing,” Whittaker explained. “Don’t get confused, just because he does it and admits it like a champ, doesn’t mean it’s a good thing – don’t be petty. Can I just clarify something? He said he’s petty – he admitted it with such energy.”

Calling for a third championship fight with the Nigerian-Kiwi off the back of UFC 287 – Whittaker claims to have taken inspiration from the former’s title victory and redemption against Pereira, claiming he will only himself need three chances to hand Adesanya his second middleweight loss in professional mixed martial arts.

Video – Jon Anik nearly falls out of his chair as Israel Adesanya KO’s Alex Pereira at UFC 287

Israel Adesanya’s incredible second-round knockout of Alex Pereira at UFC 287 earlier this month made UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik nearly fall out of his chair. Perhaps one of the best things about witnessing a highlight-reel knockout inside the Octagon is the video feed that shows the immediate reaction of the event’s commentary team. To […]

Israel Adesanya’s incredible second-round knockout of Alex Pereira at UFC 287 earlier this month made UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik nearly fall out of his chair.

Perhaps one of the best things about witnessing a highlight-reel knockout inside the Octagon is the video feed that shows the immediate reaction of the event’s commentary team. To celebrate Israel Adesanya reclaiming the UFC middleweight championship, the promotion released a video clip on Twitter highlighting the always-entertaining reactions of Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier immediately following the knockout blow delivered by ‘The Last Stylebender.’

In a hilarious turn of events, the moment took commentator Jon Anik out of his chair and nearly into the stands, though it looked like Joe Rogan may have given him a little shove in the process. We’re certain it was unintentional, but funny nevertheless.

What Comes Next for Israel Adesanya After Reclaiming the UFC Middleweight Championship?

With his victory at UFC 287, Israel Adesanya finally broke through, scoring his first win over longtime rival Alex Pereira after going 0-3 against the Brazilian boogeyman dating back to their days under the GLORY Kickboxing banner. Despite being deadlocked at 1-1 inside the Octagon, don’t hold your breath for a potential trilogy bout. Alex Pereira has already confirmed that his next matchup will be at light heavyweight. ‘Poatan’ left the door open for a potential return to middleweight, but if he finds success at 205, it’s unlikely that he would come back down for anything other than a potential ‘champ-champ’ opportunity.

Back on top of the middleweight division, many fans wonder what will be next for ‘The Last Stylebender’ considering he’s already cleared out a majority of the division. A third meeting with perennial contender Robert Whittaker is always a possibility, but it sounds like Adesanya has his own eyes locked on becoming a two-division titleholder. With light heavyweight king Jamahal Hill currently in limbo with no clear contender, a champion vs. champion clash between himself and Israel Adesanya could be in the cards.

Who would you like to see Israel Adesanya face inside the Octagon next?