“He doesn’t take a punch well,” Joe Rogan speculates the reason behind Alex Pereira’s surprising decision to avoid trilogy against Israel Adesanya

While Pereira has moved on to Light-heavyweight division, Joe Rogan discusses why the Poatan has refused a trilogy fight against Adesanya.


“He doesn’t take a punch well,” Joe Rogan speculates the reason behind Alex Pereira’s surprising decision to avoid trilogy against Israel Adesanya

L-Alex Pereira R-Israel Adesanya (Image source: L/R- Getty Images )

Alex Pereira had a difficult knockout against Israel Adesanya in their rematch in the UFC. Joe Rogan recently revealed why Poatan refused a trilogy fight against Adesanya.

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Pereira and Adesanya have been rivals ever since their days in kickboxing. The two fighters faced each other and time and time again, Pereira came out on top. Then Israel Adesanya transitioned to the UFC, where he climbed the ladders and became the UFC Middleweight Champion. But Pereira kept watch on his former rival from the sidelines.

Once Adesanya mentioned Poatan in an interview and declared him irrelevant, Pereira decided it was time to teach the former a lesson. Alex Pereira made his debut in 2021 and, in a span of just one year, snatched the title of the UFC Middleweight Champion from his former rival.

Adesanya and Pereira faced again this year in an electrifying rematch. Headlining UFC 287, Pereira and Adesanya exchanged a volley of throws until Adesanya placed a well-timed shot on Pereira in the second round and knocked him down. Joe Rogan described it as perfect. “It was perfect. The follow-up was perfect. It was a beautiful knock, spectacular…”.

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Related: “Alex stays hunting” – Fans demand trilogy fight as Israel Adesanya captures video of Alex Pereira in a coincidental airport encounter

Joe Rogan discussed reasons why Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya trilogy fight will not happen

Joe Rogan   Alex Pereira
Rogan discusses trilogy fight between Adesanya and Pereira (Image source: L/R- Getty Images )

Although it is a highly demanded fight, Joe Rogan revealed the reason why Pereira does not wish to fight Israel Adesanya again for a third bout. “I don’t think Pereira really wants to make 85 anymore. It’s absolutely brutal…,” Rogan said. “A lot of people are speculating that he doesn’t take a punch that well because he cuts weight.”

Alex Pereira has never missed weight and although he has only 5 UFC fights under his belt, he is now one of the big stars. UFC ranks him #1 in the UFC Middleweight rankings.

Pereira has moved on to the Light-heavyweight division. He is set to face Jan Blachowicz for his debut fight in the division. Blachowicz ranks #3 in Light-heavyweight rankings and is a former UFC Light-heavyweight Champion. The two a set to face each other at UFC 291, later this July.

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