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Israel Adesanya is not at all worried about Alex Pereira joining the UFC. In fact, he welcomes the challenge.
This past Saturday at UFC 268, Pereira made his promotional debut, knocking out Andreas Michailidis with a jumping knee in the second round. Though only 4-1 in his professional MMA career, Pereira arrives to the UFC to much fanfare on the back of his extensive kickboxing career, where he owns a knockout victory over Adesanya. The loss is the lone knockout defeat of Adesanya’s combat sports career and as such, fans are salivating about the potential of an Adesanya-Pereira rematch down the line, this time for UFC gold. And it turns out, so is the UFC middleweight champion.
In a video posted to his personal YouTube channel, Adesanya shows his real-time reaction to Pereira’s KO, where he calls Pereira’s shot and then celebrates the potential for a “new” challenge in the middleweight ranks.
“It’s pretty much like me and (Derek) Brunson – he’s trying to find a way (to grapple) because he’s scared of the striking,” Adesanya said. “Because you know he’s going to shoot, well-timed knee just straight up. Bang. There it is! I thought he was going to do it when he shot in, but I didn’t think he was going to fly at him.
“We talked about this like two days ago. We need something new. Especially after you lap the division again.”
Of course, making a debut over an unranked fighter, as impressive as it was, is a long way from challenging for the title, but given his history with Adesanya, Pereira could be fast-tracked up the division if he can continue winning. Adesanya says that he hopes it happens, and if it does, he warns everyone that Pereira won’t be facing the same guy he knocked out five years ago.
“Good job, Pereira. That was nice,” Adesanya said. “One thing I notice is everyone always holds on to that win he has over me like it’s the be all end all. I hope he does well. I hope he does well through the ranks. In the next four fights, I hope to see him. They’ll show you the knockout, but they won’t show you what happened before the fight. They won’t show you what happened before the finish. I hurt him, but I only throw these (raises fist) because I was infiltrated by other people’s thoughts. But that was when I was younger. Not anymore. It’s different now. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
TOP STORIES
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Nope. Dana White declares Kamaru Usman ‘the greatest welterweight ever’.
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Work ethic. Max Holloway takes aim at UFC ‘elevator divas’ who wait to be handed opportunities: ‘Your boy will be at the stairs’.
Suspension. Former UFC fighter Ryan Benoit suspended 10 months by USADA after using sleep disorder drug.
Battery. Dillon Danis slapped by manager Ali Abdelaziz in backstage altercation at UFC 268.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Best of Fight Pass, October edition.
Highlights from last week’s Contender Series.
Pro wrestlers react to UFC trash talk.
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. Josh Emmett on tearing his ACL, the featherweight division, and UFC 269.
The Co-Main Event. Discussing the big stories from UFC 268.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Izzy also Tweeted.
Who dey fear who?
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) November 9, 2021
Who dey sweat who?
Lol relax newbs, I like this arc in my story. My life really is an anime ✨https://t.co/cBAvDWIFcF pic.twitter.com/YQMP7Kx6zt
Matchmaking.
2022 pic.twitter.com/Da0D3zhOEr
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 8, 2021
I’m down at some stage for sure. Great fight the other night Mike, congrats!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 8, 2021
Thank you sir. It would be my pleasure. See you soon.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 8, 2021
Also from Michael Chandler.
Ladies and gentlemen these are the best seats in the house. I am a lucky man, to do this job with such talented, great people. #ufc268 @Jon_Anik @joerogan @MeganOlivi pic.twitter.com/qEn8F6RYWe
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 8, 2021
You don’t kick a man when they’re down. But what’s the protocol when a man is eating . Paulo Pasta you better be on a treadmill somewhere right now !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 8, 2021
just had an amazing conversation with Chandler, it’s amazing that he now knows what it feels like to be considered TBE, it’s an amazing feeling, cool to have that in common with my childhood roommate
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 8, 2021
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Miranda Maverick (9-3) vs. Erin Blanchfield (7-1); UFC 269, Dec. 11.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Will Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira fight each other in the UFC?
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