Fans are still buzzing about one of the most stacked cards of the year that the promotion put together in Miami. UFC 287 witnessed a potential end to one of the most historic rivalries in the realm of combat sports. In the main event, Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya knocked out Alex ‘Poatan‘ Pereira in a devastating fashion in the second round.
However, this was only the second time the duo faced each other in the Octagon. Previously, Israel and Alex have locked horns twice in GLORY’s kickboxing ring. Pereira got the best of the Nigerian-born Kiwi the first three consecutive times, but UFC 287 belonged to Israel and his perfectly strategized game plan. After the spectacular finish, Adesanya trolled his archnemesis using the latter’s patented bow and arrow ritual.
ADESANYA GETS ONE BACK! HE KNOCKS PEREIRA OUT COLD! 😱 #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/P01reBg6je
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
However, ‘The Last Stylebender‘ didn’t just stop there. The 33-year-old went on to mock one of Alex’s sons right after knocking his father out cold in the Octagon. Love him or hate him, Adesanya sure does bring a lot of eyeballs with his flashy persona and eccentricity.
Combining all the stats, Israel is now 1-3 against Alex Pereira. It is still unclear whether the duo would face each other one more time in the Octagon. However, fans would welcome their 3rd MMA outing with open arms. For now, Adesanya gets to decide who he will defend his title against next.
Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira share mutual respect backstage
In the aftermath of UFC 287, things seemed to lighten down a bit when the age-long rivals bumped into each other backstage. No trash-talking happened between the two and in fact, the rivals seemed to put their competitive differences aside and shared words of encouragement towards each other.
Israel shook hands with ‘Poatan’ and said, “I wanna come to Brazil one time. And I’d love to learn [and] train, but [to] just see you in Brazil and the people as well. Because I miss Brazil when I was there. Last time, he knocked me out.”
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Pereira returned the respect and pointed out to another one of his rivals who goes by the name of Yousri Belgaroui. The 35-year-old Brazilian told Adesanya that Yousri used to be a rival, much like the Kiwi. But now, the two are friends and help each other out by training together. Maybe Pereira is insinuating that a friendship between him and Adesanya down the line could very well brew.
Adesanya continued. “I wanna learn how you threw [the kick]. You are a great champion, and forever, it doesn’t matter what anyone says, you are always a champion. I will always respect you. Obrigado.”
Do you think the two will face each other for a 5th time? During the post-fight presser, President Dana White suggested Alex Pereira might move up in weight to the 205-pound division.