“One more for the highlight reel,” Alexander Volkanovski firm on Israel Adesanya exacting revenge against nemesis Alex Pereira
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Alex Pereira, Alexander Volkanovski, and Israel Adesanya (Image Courtesy: MMA Fighting/ UFC)
Alex Volkanovski has high hopes for Israel Adesanya going into the middleweight title rematch at UFC 287. As a former champion, Adesanya was top-notch as he defended his title multiple times and didn’t shy away from fighting any challenger. It was going smoothly for the ‘Stylebender’ until he met his old nemesis, Alex Pereira. After the fight at UFC 281, many fans are doubting Izzy’s ability to take revenge and win against Pereira.
However, UFC pound-for-pound number two fighter, Alexander Volkanovski is positive that Izzy will definitely get a finish at UFC 287. In a recent interview with Sky Sports New Zealand, Volkanovski mentioned that Izzy has a lot to prove and that it will be a KO finish for the challenger in the third round.
He said: “I think it finishes early. I think Izzy actually finishes him. I’m thinking third round… Obviously, he’s got something to prove. With the right game plan and things like that, I think it’s gonna go well for him, very well for him, and hopefully a nice highlight reel for Izzy. He’s got many of those and one more for the highlight reel.”
Volkanovski and Izzy represent the same gym and have seen each other train for years. Izzy is looking confident and it will be interesting to see what happens at UFC 287.
Israel Adesanya opens up about how Alex Pereira damaged his legs in the first fight which affected his performance
In the first fight at UFC 281, it was Israel Adesanya who was dominating throughout the fight. Izzy was ahead in the points and was striking well in the initial rounds. He also took Alex Pereira down and had some ground control. That was until Izzy got struck by that vicious TKO combination by the Brazilian that forced the referee to stop the fight.
Reviewing his performance at UFC 287, Adesanya in his YouTube video mentioned how Pereira’s leg kicks hit his nerve and stopped him from moving normally.
He said: “In round two, I’m controlling, that’s when my leg started to drag a little bit, my left leg. [I was like] what the f**k. Like [when] I was trying to plant it, and it felt weird. So I was against the fence a little bit more, he hit me a little bit more… His leg was compromised as well, but mine, he actually affected the movement by striking the nerve.”
Many fans are expecting the rematch to take the same route as the first fight. For Izzy to win the fight, he needs to do something different, and getting a knockout could be one such way.
Continue Reading:
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Soumya Ranjan
(2167 Articles Published)