Israel Adesanya has replied to Alex Pereira’s remarks after the Brazilian’s post-fight interview at UFC 295. The 36-year-old engaged in the main event against Jiri Prochazka with the aim of securing the light heavyweight title. The fight marked Prochazka’s return to the ring after an absence of over a year.
Judging by the intense stare-down with Pereira before the match, it was evident that he was resolute in reclaiming his championship belt. Despite his determination, fate had other plans. As the bout approached the closing minute of the second round, Pereira delivered a decisive right hook that sent his opponent to the canvas.
Subsequently, he followed up with elbows to the head. Referee Mark Goddard intervened and halted the contest as both fighters descended to the mat, though some argue that the stoppage may have occurred prematurely. After the fight, Pereira called out the Former Middleweight Champion and old rival Israel Adesanya, inviting him to fight him at light-heavyweight.
In the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Pereira expressed that he was in a way returning a favor to his old enemy, Adesanya, to revive his career. “He rescued me from a bar to be here today. This guy said he just wants to come back and fight in 2027. I think he’s a very talented guy. It’s a waste of talent, so I want to rescue him too, to come here and fight,” said the UFC light heavyweight champion.
However, Israel Adesanya has refused to believe that Pereira had noble intentions behind his call-out. On his YouTube channel, Adesanya said, “The fact that it sits with him. It hurts his spirit; I like it. But he did it. Same arena, getting that belt again, yeah. I think Jamahal Hill is probably next for him, but I know for a fact it hurts his spirit, which I like”.
Israel Adesanya also expressed that Alex Pereira’s next opponent might be Jamahal Hill after his victory at UFC 295. Moreover, Izzy liked seeing Alex’s spirit get crushed since he might not get ‘The Last Stylebender’ as his next opponent.
Israel Adesanya responds to Alex Pereira’s callout at UFC 295
Following his achievement of becoming the ninth fighter in UFC history to secure titles in two distinct weight classes, Alex Pereira shifted his focus to his longstanding adversary, Israel Adesanya, during his post-fight interview. The Brazilian appeared to challenge ‘The Last Stylebender’ to confront him in the 205-lbs division.
However, Izzy responded in his own way, as he was seemingly moved by the fact that Pereira had especially learned English to just call out the Former Middleweight Champion “Adesanya, come to Daddy”, said Pereira in the octagonal interview after the fight.
Like a son uttering his first words. 🍼🗿 pic.twitter.com/V7lcpLkzwD
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) November 13, 2023
Fight fans would know that the rivalry between Pereira and Adesanya dates back to their kickboxing days in 2016, with ‘Poatan’ emerging victorious in three bouts, including the UFC 281 main event in November 2022, where he claimed the UFC middleweight championship over Adesanya.