The rivalry between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya is undoubtedly one of the most fierce in recent UFC history. Both fighters are 1-1 in MMA and are currently in different positions in UFC since they last fought. However, despite spending so many rounds trying to knock out each other, the mutual respect between the fighters is impeccable.
Adesanya’s title reign was halted by Pereira, who followed Izzy from Glory Kickboxing. Pereira dropped Adesanya in the first fight and suffered the same fate in the rematch. Since then, Pereira has made a huge comeback and has dominated the light heavyweight division. However, on the other hand, Izzy has found himself on a two-fight losing streak. But this hasn’t stopped Izzy from joking about his own loss and giving Pereira his credit.
I just think Poatan is just on a f***** tear right now. He’s just too good. I hope he retires undefeated, the rest of his career. It will just be like I beat that n**** one time.
Israel Adesanya via his YouTube channel
Other than Adesanya, nobody has been able to beat Pereira in the UFC. The fighter is currently on a four-fight win streak, out of which he finished three of his latest opponents. Pereira has faced some tough fighters like Sean Strickland, Jiri Prochazka, etc. and has won against them with ease.
Israel Adesanya hopes Alex Pereira stays undefeated for the rest of his career:
“Bro I hope he retires undefeated… it’ll just be like ‘I beat that ***** one time’.” 😂😂
🎥 YT / FREESTYLEBENDER #UFC #MMA #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/LEGNHcysVz
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 2, 2024
Pereira has established himself as the best striker on the roster with a brutal knockout power. The ‘Touch of Death‘ is enough to put anybody down with minimum contact. Other than Izzy, nobody else could stand and hang with Pereira, and for that, ‘Poatan’ does have massive respect.
Alex Pereira indirectly credits Israel Adesanya
While Israel Adesanya was making his way to the top of the UFC, Alex Pereira was in Brazil, drinking alcohol and making wrong decisions. However, after watching one interview about him from Izzy, Pereira decided to change his life and chase Adesanya. The fighter has publicly thanked Izzy for motivating him, and in return, the ‘Last Stylebender’ has credited Pereira for making him a better fighter.
Pereira’s old rival, kickboxing fighter Artem Vakhitov, recently claimed that he will come to UFC and stop his title reign. Like Adesanya, Vakhitov is another fighter who has defeated Pereira in kickboxing. When asked about this in a recent interview, Pereira completely shut down these claims, suggesting that not everyone is Adesanya.
I think fighting me in the UFC at this point will be hard… Bro, they are not me, they are not Israel Adesanya.
Alex Pereira via UFC 307 pre-fight presser
Alex Pereira is asked if he thinks his former kickboxing rival, Artem Vakhitov, has potential to succeed in the UFC:
“I think fighting me in the UFC at this point will be hard… Bro, they are not me, they are not Israel Adesanya.”
🎥 @MMAFighting #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/Dye2BWjSf0
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 2, 2024
Nevertheless, Pereira will defend his light heavyweight title for the third time this year at UFC 307. This time, he’s going against Khalil Rountree, who is a knockout specialist himself. Going into the fight, fans are expecting a striking showdown, and it will be interesting to see whether Pereira manages to keep his title reign intact.
