Alex Pereira Challenges his fierce rival Israel Adesanya to spar on a hoverboard as “Tennis Balls are too Easy”


Alex Pereira Challenges his fierce rival Israel Adesanya to spar on a hoverboard as “Tennis Balls are too Easy”

Pereira raised the stakes after Adesanya's unique, tennis ball workout

Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya will meet for the third time in their professional lives later this year at UFC 281. However, way before that the mind games have already begun, with the Brazilian taking the lead. With his most recent Instagram post Pereira made the first direct challenge to Adesanya, possibly since he entered the UFC.

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Recently Adesanya was seen working on his reflexes and head movement with the help of tennis balls. The skill it takes to dodge every one of those is commendable but not impressive enough for Pereira it may seem. The former Glory World Champion had his own unique method of training that he felt was way more impressive that what his rival had in store.

Pereira posted a video, captioned, “Training with a tennis ball is easy, I want to see him train boxing on top of a hoverboard. ” In the accompanying video, Pereira was doing just that, sparring while on top of a hoverboard. It’s hard enough for newcomers to balance themselves on a hoverboard and here was Pereira, throwing and eating punches at half power, while somehow still not managing to trip over.

Related: “It’s DEFINITELY different-” Jared Cannonier gives Israel Adesanya the edge under MMA rules over Alex Pereira come UFC 281

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Road to UFC 281: Why are Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira such monumental rivals?

Alex Pereira x Israel Adesanya
Pereira gained his shot at the title with a first round K over former #6 Sean Strickland

Pereira, who usually distances himself from trash-talking his opponents made an exception here and we’re not sure if it was to taunt Adesanya or just flex his abilities on the hoverboard.

Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have fought twice until now, with both times being in the kickboxing ring. Both fights were won by Pereira the first on the scorecards and the second via a brutal knockout. He also holds the distinction to be the only person in combat sports to have had KOd Adesanya.

With the middleweight division running short on top contenders the champion hasn’t already beaten, the UFC decided it would be best if the two rivals had their combat trilogy while the hype was still palpable.

Also Read: “Everybody gets hit” – Joe Rogan backs Alex Pereira’s “power” over Israel Adesanya’s experience

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With some of Adesanya’s previous fights being labeled a “snoozefest” by the fans, it may also help with the PPV numbers for him to face someone of a similar background and has had certified success. Targeted for UFC 281, at the Garden, it will be Adesanya’s 6th title defense and Pereira’s first shot at an undisputed UFC title.

This will also mark the first time in over 4 years that Adesanya fights at the iconic arena with his previous appearance being his fight against Derek Brunson at UFC 230

Also Read: “He’s Hard To DethroneRobert Whittaker wants Alex Pereira to beat Israel Adesanya in their fight but doubts it will happen