Alex Pereira had a successful light heavyweight debut against former champion Jan Blachowicz at the co-main event of UFC 291. Follow UFC News Updates with Insidesport.IN
Blachowicz was the only fighter to beat Israel Adesanya in the UFC prior to Alex Pereira’s victory at UFC 281.
Akin to Pereira, Adesanya tried his chance at the light heavyweight division and fought Jan Blachowicz for the title while he was still the middleweight champion.
Blachowicz defended his championship status by defeating Israel Adesanya via a unanimous decision at UFC 259. However, the Polish fighter couldn’t nth a win against Pereira despite putting on a close contest.
Now that Pereira is done with Blachowicz, the Brazilian fighter doesn’t mind facing Adesanya for a third time in the UFC. ‘Also, Alex Pereira wants the trilogy to happen at 185 lbs (middleweight).
Per reports, Alex Pereira said, “In my mind, We [Him and Israel Adesanya) are 1-1 at middleweight. I won one at middleweight, Israel won the other one. Nothing more fair than to make the trilogy at middleweight.”
Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya looks likely to defend his middleweight championship against Sean Strickland next. Initially, Dricus Du Plessis was supposed to get a shot at the 185 lbs.
However, he seems to remain out of action for a while and that shall enable a fight between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
What Happened In The First Two Fights Between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira
A rivalry that began in kickboxing found its way into MMA when Alex Pereira knocked the middleweight title out of Israel Adesanya at UFC 281.
‘Izzy’ suffered his maiden and only defeat at UFC’s 185 division. Although he dominated the initial rounds, ‘Poatan’ Pereira’s left hook turned out to be the wreckage in the later stage.
Adesanya consumed too many blows and the referee waved off the contest. The two re-matched immediately at UFC 287.
This time, Israel Adesanya made a shining comeback and knocked out Alex Pereira in a career re-defining moment. A 2X UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, is now looking for his next fight.
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