“Get on their knees and thank me,” Israel Adesanya commands respect from fellow middleweights for orchestrating Alex Pereira’s exit from the division

Israel Adesanya claims reason why former rival Alex Pereira made the move to the light-heavyweight division of the UFC.

“Get on their knees and thank me,” Israel Adesanya commands respect from fellow middleweights for orchestrating Alex Pereira’s exit from the division

Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira (via IMAGO)

Israel Adesanya has earned respect from middleweights for orchestrating Alex Pereira‘s move from the division. This was a sentiment he expressed with confidence.

Israel Adesanya claimed that middleweights should be thankful for Pereira’s departure to the light heavyweight division. The former middleweight champion asserted his influence on the shift. He said on his YouTube channel:

These middleweights can get on their f*cking knees and thank me ‘cause I got this man out of there...If not, you would have to deal with him over and over and over again, all of you.
YouTube video

The two fighters had a heated rivalry. However, they seemingly buried the hatchet after Adesanya reclaimed the UFC middleweight title by defeating Pereira at UFC 287. This victory not only solidified Adesanya’s dominance in the middleweight division but also played a role in reshaping its landscape.

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Alex Pereira transitioned to the light heavyweight division and secured a victory over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291, winning via split decision. This marked his successful debut in the new weight class, and the win positioned him as a potential contender for the light heavyweight title.

Israel Adesanya wants to see Francis Ngannou back in the octagon

Israel Adesanya expressed his desire for Francis Ngannou to return to MMA. Adesanya, who walked Ngannou out for his recent boxing match, wants to see Ngannou’s presence back in the MMA scene.

Tyson Fury Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou lost fight against Tyson Furya via controversial split decision ( Image via Imago )

Adesanya stated that the sport’s excitement is at its peak when Ngannou is involved. Adesanya’s sentiment showed the anticipation for Ngannou’s potential return to the UFC. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Adesanya said: 

What do I want to see? I haven’t thought about it,... But first thing, if I’m being honest, I want to see him in MMA. With who? I don’t know...

Francis Ngannou made his boxing debut against Tyson Fury in a non-title fight, generating significant excitement. The fight took place in Saudi Arabia, ending in a split decision victory for Tyson Fury, despite Ngannou knocking him down during the bout. Ngannou’s performance showcased his transition from UFC to boxing, impressing fans and demonstrating his skills against a seasoned boxer like Fury.

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