Boxing

‘Feisty Rivals, Respectful Friends’: Adesanya On Periera’s Rivalry

Published

8 months ago

Apr 25, 2024.

Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira engaged in a fierce rivalry across kickboxing and MMA.
Despite their intense battles, they maintain mutual respect offstage.
Fans eagerly await Adesanya’s next moves as their saga continues to shape his journey.

Eko Hot Blog reports that in the ring and cage, Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira ignited fierce rivalry, yet offstage, it’s all about mutual respect.

Their saga unfolded through two intense kickboxing bouts and a memorable UFC title clash, culminating in Adesanya’s triumph at UFC 287 in April 2023, reclaiming the middleweight throne and securing his sole victory in their epic four-fight series.

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Since then, Adesanya surrendered the title to Sean Strickland, taking a voluntary break, while Pereira ascended to the light heavyweight summit, showcasing his prowess in a new division.

Throughout their feud, Adesanya and Pereira often teased each other playfully, yet publicly emphasized the mutual respect they share. “The Last Stylebender” regards his rivalry with Pereira as a defining chapter of his career, a narrative still unfolding.

“Honestly, he’s a special fighter,” Adesanya told Demetrious Johnson on the MightyCast.

Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira Rivalry in the ring

“He’s a special human being. What he’s done in this game, in fighting and for his life, as well, I’ll always respect him. I’m grateful for those moments because for me, it taught me so much about myself and where I can go.

“Same with the Kelvin Gastelum fight, it let me know I can go more. That one, I was ready to die, but this one, I just knew, ‘There’s no f****** way, this guy, I swear to God, I will die… fourth time’s a charm.’

“Then I knew, ‘Israel, there’s levels. You can go more. You can go more. So stay tuned.’ It’s not going to take another seven years before I get [Sean] Strickland. Stay tuned, you watch.”

The Adesanya-Pereira history is widely chronicled: Pereira claimed victory in their initial kickboxing encounter amid controversy, followed by a stunning knockout in their second bout.

Adesanya and Pereira in the ring

Their MMA clash at UFC 281 saw Adesanya leading 39-37 on all scorecards until Pereira unleashed a decisive flurry, sealing the fight in the fifth round.

When Pereira delivered a thudding KO in their rematch at UFC 287, he made sure to celebrate in style, even calling back to Pereira’s son mocking him when Pereira knocked Adesanya out in their second kickboxing fight.

“You know when you walk out?” Adesanya said.

“You see everything because you’re so hyper aware. I saw everything. I knew there was [Donald] Trump, Kid Rock, and Mike Tyson next to Dana [White].