In a candid interview with Ariel Helwani, Israel Adesanya opened up about his intense rivalry with Alex Pereira, describing it as one of the most challenging and defining experiences of his career. Adesanya, known as ‘The Last Stylebender,’ has faced Pereira multiple times across different combat sports, with their rivalry becoming one of the most talked-about in recent MMA history.
Reflecting on their battles, Adesanya expressed his gratitude for the challenge Pereira provided, acknowledging that it pushed him to new heights. “God blessed me with a great opponent like Alex Pereira. He blessed me with a great challenge like that. And it’s easy to say that now on this side, but f**k, you know, it takes a lot to take on that man,” Adesanya said.
Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya’s Rivalry
The rivalry between Adesanya and Pereira began in Glory kickboxing, where Pereira managed to defeat Adesanya twice, including a brutal knockout. Their paths crossed again in the UFC, with Pereira once more emerging victorious at UFC 281. However, Adesanya finally got his redemption at UFC 287, reclaiming the middleweight title with a spectacular knockout victory.
Adesanya’s reflections on the rivalry highlight the respect he has for Pereira and the impact their encounters have had on his career. “I always knew that we would have history, and I always knew I could best him. I’m glad God blessed me with that challenge to be able to rise to the occasion,” Adesanya added.
Alex Pereira, on his part, has also acknowledged the significance of their rivalry. In a recent interview, he expressed his gratitude towards Adesanya, stating that their history played a crucial role in his own success. “Maybe without [Israel Adesanya] I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have got into the UFC with the good contract that I did due to the history we have,” Pereira said.
Read More- Ex-UFC Champ Names Unexpected Challenger for Merab Dvalishvili After Victory Over Umar Nurmagomedov
SHARE
