Israel Adesanya and rival Alex Pereira cross brave NEW threshold – DMing each other on socials: “He appreciates…”

Middleweight Israel Adesanya talks about legendary rival Alex Pereira ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia return vs. Nassourdine Imavov.

Israel Adesanya talks on Alex Pereira before UFC Saudi Arabia return (Source: IMAGO/X)

The brass starts off a stacked February schedule on Saturday. UFC Saudi Arabia in Riyadh sees middleweight Israel Adesanya return to the fold. Adesanya faces an unlikely but surging contender in Nassourdine Imavov. However, even now, away from a PPV numbered card headliner spotlight, Izzy’s traction with Alex Pereira goes as a hot topic.

The Riyadh scrapper has a lot at stake here. This marks the first non-title fight in years for the returning Israel Adesanya. “Last Stylebender” could bend style as he’s on cusp of an unprecedented three-fight skid with this. He might also get back to his winning ways. However, his correlation with Alex Pereira is a topic that seeps in even now. Adesanya says they have reached a new base in their correlation.

I like the fact, …I mean — I didn’t know he said it on Ariel Show. But he …we talked two or three weeks ago just DMs and he said to me, … he said that to me [that] yeah and I reciprocated it back and um yeah like if the why, …why dwell on things that don’t serve you anymore. That’s how I feel so he realizes that and I’m appreciative that he appreciates that you know without me, that [that rivalry] wouldn’t be possible.
Israel Adesanya to TheMacLife’s (@TheMacLife) Oscar Willis in UFC Fight Night 250 pre-fight media availability

“Poatan” and coach/translator Plinio Cruz came on The Ariel Helwani Show. Moments into the conversation, the all-humble Brazilian superstar praised his rivalry with Israel Adesanya to UFC bounds. He is now living large as a two-division champ because of it. Adesanya said there’s nothing but mutual respect now.

“Poatan” beat his rival at UFC 281, and Adesanya reclaimed undisputed gold with a second-round KO at UFC 287 PPV. The former champ would often take free shots for having defeated him, once; that phase had seemingly passed. Alex Pereira has active plans to shine at the UFC 205-pound mark more frequently; so there’s that. As for CKB’s Izzy, he has his plate full for the UFC Saudi Arabia main event.

Israel Adesanya reveals reason for not training with Alex Pereira: “Now it’s not the time…”

UFC middleweight Israel Adesanya sees himself training with Alex Pereira one day

Robert Whittaker explains what Israel Adesanya must ‘avoid at all costs’ against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia

Past UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) returns to an Octagon headliner for his first non-title fight in six years. He will take on up-and-coming Nassourdine Imavov (15-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC), looking to make a name for himself. Adesanya is one of 14 fighters in UFC competition to win undisputed gold on an undefeated record. He went 5-0 in his first historic title reign.

Israel Adesanya faces long task vs. Nassourdine Imavov (Source: X)

However, those days are long gone. Izzy is now on back-to-back title losses; the latest to Dricus Du Plessis. While it hardly dumbs him down, the Kiwi-Nigerian is looking for changes to come back strong. Other than Alex Pereira, former foe Robert Whittaker is someone Adesanya had an ‘organic’ meet and training session with. Whittaker picks Adesanya to win, but only if he can fend off Imavov’s grappling.

Imavov’s grappling is very good, …He gets the back of just about every opponent he fights. That’s kind of where the fight wins for him. He doesn’t beat Izzy in a five-round striking contest. He takes him down, tries to get his back, he gets his back, and then whether or not Izzy defends that position and gets out of it…We’re going to see Adesanya trying to keep his space, piece him up, and Imavov trying to bully him up against the fence.
Robert Whittaker on his “MMArcade” Podcast

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Adesanya was taken down four times on his way to a Round 4 submission defeat to Du Plessis at UFC 305 last August. While good inside the clinch and strong with a spatial tick, the kickboxer would be well to avoid it. As of now, per Draftkings Sportbooks, Adesanya sits at -175 over underdog Nassourdine Imavov (+145). Come the UFC Saudi Arabia, he’d like to keep those odds going.

Tags: Alex Pereira Israel Adesanya

#About the Author

Dibaas.M

(1627 Articles Published)

Dibaas is an avid combat sports enthusiast and an MMA writer at FirstSportz. His knack of the sport started early, ranging as far back as UFC 81: Breaking Point; the first match watched. Barring a few years in the middle, he got back in the fold watching the rise of the likes of Conor McGregor, Kamaru Usman, and others... He also happens to be in the habit of writing, wherein his interests collide. He loves to report on anything and everything within the combat sports bubble. He has helped in freelance social redesign and rebranding for a few Instagram businesses, as well as digital/manual art restoration. He has a year of experience as Community service Associate, 4+ years of experience as a freelance content writer, and a year of experience in target-oriented writing. Currently, he delves into topics of MMA, Boxing, and Kickboxing to the best of his ability and share it with a dedicated audience.

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