Alex
Pereira and Israel
Adesanya might have one of the healthiest rivalries in
UFC history.
Adesanya (24-5) is scheduled to fight Joe Pyfer
(15-3) in the main event at
UFC Seattle on Saturday. Pereira recently posted a video of
himself getting knocked out by Adesanya in their rematch at UFC 287
in 2023. “Poatan” also wished Adesanya luck for his upcoming fight
while expressing his gratitude for sharing the Octagon with
him.
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‘We Keep Evolving’
“Saturday is fight night once again,” Pereira wrote on Instagram
while tagging Adesanya in the post. “Much respect to Israel
Adesanya — we’ve shared the Octagon and moments that became
part of my journey. That loss taught me a lot; it pushed me to
evolve not only as a fighter, but as a man. I grew, matured, and
used it as fuel to reach a higher level in the sport and in life.
Regardless of rivalry, I know what it means to step in there — the
years of work, the pressure, the sacrifice. That’s why I wish you a
great fight. Go in focused and show your best. We keep evolving.
See you at the top CHAMA.”
Pereira (13-3) was the only man to beat Adesanya in Glory
kickboxing. Adesanya transitioned to MMA earlier than Pereira and
found stardom in the UFC. Pereira transitioned to MMA much later
but soon found his way into the UFC. Pereira challenged Adesanya
for the UFC middleweight title just a year after making his debut
in the promotion. Pereira appeared to be Adesanya’s kryptonite when
he knocked out “The Last Stylebender” at UFC 281 in 2022.
However, Adesanya put a fairytale ending to the story by knocking
out Pereira in their rematch. Pereira subsequently moved up to
light heavyweight where he won and defended the title thrice before
falling to Magomed
Ankalaev. The Brazilian reclaimed his title by knocking out
Ankalaev in their rematch last year. Pereira is now set to fight
Ciryl
Gane (13-2) for the interim heavyweight title at
UFC White House on June 14.