“Would never bet against Pereira”- Former opponent warns Israel Adesanya ahead of his fight against Alex Pereira

“Would never bet against Pereira”- Former opponent warns Israel Adesanya ahead of his fight against Alex Pereira

Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira (Image Courtesy: The Times/ Middle Easy)

Alex Pereira is on a mission to establish his name at the top of the UFC’s middleweight division, replacing his nemesis, Israel Adesanya. The former Glory Kickboxing champion has taken the UFC by storm with his three straight victories, his latest being a stoppage over #4 ranked Sean Strickland.

Pereira finished his opponent Sean Strickland via an opening-round knockout, thus securing a title shot for himself. In the 2 kickboxing matches Adesanya and Pereira faced each other, the first fight was a decision win for Pereira and the second fight was a knockout win for Pereira only, thus Pereira won both.

YouTube video

Even though fans are eagerly waiting for Pereira to end Adesanya’s boring title reign, many believe he has evolved a lot as a striker, and he’d get the job done this time around.

FS Video

Related – “Izzy was winning them,” Stephen Thompson reacts to the kickboxing fights between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira

Dustin Jacoby break down the fight between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya

Alex Pereira x Israel Adesanya
Pereira KOs Adesanya in the second kickboxing fight

UFC’s light heavyweight prospect, Dustin Jacoby faced Pereira during his kickboxing days, and he claims Alex can knock anyone out with his mean left hook. Talking on The MMA Hour, he said, “It’s an interesting matchup. I fought Pereira, it’s the only time I’ve ever been knocked out. The guy knocks everybody out with the left hook. I can say that loud and proud, because there’s several guys that have fallen victim to him.”

He added, “He’s just a dangerous man. Izzy, I know (Alex) holds the 2-0 record, but again, that’s kickboxing, and one of those fights I think was a really good fight that could’ve gone either way. And Izzy’s just different inside the MMA octagon. He’s got good defense. He fights really smart. He’s got high IQ. I’m a big fan of both guys.”

YouTube video

“But I would never bet against Pereira, man. That guy can literally touch anybody and knock them out at the drop of a dime, so Izzy’s got to be careful,” Dustin concluded.

Also read – “What my life has come to” Sean Strickland provides a hilarious tour as he settles for a cheaper car after brutal Alex Pereira KO loss

Also read – “Put me in a fridge” Alex Pereira is flabbergasted by Israel Adesanya’s weird ‘Frozen Like Elsa’ line