Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira before their fight
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“A great challenge” Israel Adesanya Called Alex Pereira A “Blessing” For His Career

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya shared a popular rivalry with the reigning light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira. The two have faced each other four times in their combat sports careers, and the latter is leading the rivalry with 3-1. Before meeting each other in the Octagon, they had two fights in their kickboxing careers, in which “Poatan,” after defeating “The Last Stylebender” in their first fight via decision, knocked him out in the rematch.

The two carried their rivalry in the UFC, and when the time came at UFC 281, where Israel Adesanya was defending his middleweight title, “Poatan” won the fight with a 5th-round TKO. However, Israel avenged his defeat spectacularly by knocking out Alex Pereira in the rematch at UFC 287. In a recent interview, when the “Last Stylebender” was asked about what impact the rivalry had on his career, the former champ called the rivalry nothing but a blessing and wished Alex Pereira the best.

“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 and I always knew that we would have history, and I always knew I could best him. And I’m glad God blessed me with that challenge to be able to rise to the occasion.”

Israel Adesanya said on Ariel Helwani show

Israel Adesanya praised the “Brazilian” for his skills. So far, he has lost only once in his UFC career and became a two-division champion by beating the best fighters in the UFC. The “Last Stylebender” wished him best for his upcoming fight against Magomed Ankalaev, against whom Alex Pereira will defend his light heavyweight title next at UFC 313.

I respect the guy and I want the best for him. I like what he’s doing. I like the fact that he’s running through everyone because, again, it just shows how good he is.”

He added

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