Israel Adesanya, the former middleweight champion, has broken down the upcoming title fight rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. The stakes are high, and Adesanya expects nothing less than an all-out war in this clash.
“The approach from both fighters will be different because they both know what could happen,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “Alex knows he could get taken down and controlled, and Jiri knows he can get knocked out, but also Alex knows he can get touched and hurt by Jiri. Alex can surprise him, as well. If Jiri takes him down, Alex can surprise him with some new sh*t on the ground that he’s been working on”
“Someone’s going to die,” Adesanya said. “That’s the mindset that either he finishes me or I finish him, that’s the mindset that you have to have if you’re taking a short-notice fight for five rounds. Holding on for five rounds and you’re not fit? I’m telling you, it’s a bad, bad time. So you just have to go in there and be like, ‘Right, either he dies or I die.’
Adesanya has faced Alex Pereira four times—twice in kickboxing and twice in MMA. Their most recent encounter was at UFC 287, where Adesanya knocked out Pereira.
After losing to Adesanya in their middleweight title fight, Alex Pereira moved up to 205 pounds and achieved remarkable success. He knocked out Prochazka to claim the vacant title at UFC 295.
Israel Adesanya’s Expectations from Alex Pereira and Prochazka
Adesanya believes both fighters will adjust their approaches. Pereira knows he could be taken down and controlled, while Prochazka is aware of the knockout threat. Adesanya expects surprises from both sides.
Adesanya predicts an intense battle between Alex Pereira and Prochazka. His mindset? “Someone’s going to die.” Short-notice fights for five rounds demand this mentality. Adesanya leans toward Prochazka, citing their shared history as part of the “Chosen Few.” He anticipates a third or fourth-round finish.