When Alex Pereira signed with the UFC fans knew at some point he’d be matched up with the middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, considering their past.
And that time has finally come.
Adesanya, one of the most dominant UFC champions will face a former foe in Pereira, who he’s already lost to twice in kickboxing in the main event at UFC 281 with Adesanya’s title on the line. But it isn’t the title Adesanya has his heart set on, it’s revenge.
“Beating him, that’s what matters,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “Like, the belt? F*ck the belt. Just beating him, a killer like him, that’s what matters.”
Adesanya says he’s confident there won’t be a third loss.
“We’ve dusted that off, we’ve cut it off, and I can see what I did wrong,” Adesanya said. “So, it’s not gonna be like last time. This is a different fighter you’re facing, and now I’ve become another fighter. I’ve re-birthed myself. I’ve re-birthed it, and I just feel like I want to have fun. That’s the goal. But this fight, I’m gonna have fun. That’s the ultimate goal. And when I have fun, I’m the best in the world.”
Israel Adesanya releases intense training montage ahead of Alex Pereira fight
As arguably the biggest fight of his career in the sport edges closer, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has released footage of his intense training under Eugene Bareman.
The New Zealander will collide with Alex Periera for the third time across two sports, and expects to put on a show. He also aims to silence those who are beginning to doubt his ability. Despite being one of the best strikers in MMA, the 185lb king has been criticized for his supposed lack of intent on finishing his opponents.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya showcased exactly how seriously he is taking his camp leading up to UFC 281. He quoted Floyd Mayweather by saying that this is a must-win fight for him against Alex Pereira.
“I just felt fatigued in my muscles, but my mind was pushing, so I was like, ‘I don’t care, I’ll say less, this fu**ing whole fight week, I’ll say less, but I’ll speak violence. Talk sh** all you want, but trust, you’ll soon find out. And then when I’m gone, you’ll fu**ing regret it. You’ll appreciate me more when I’m gone… Forget every other fight. If there’s ever a fight I have to win, it’s this one… That’s why everything’s been different this camp, there’s no excuses. If there’s ever a fight I have to win, it’s this one.”
Despite only signing for the UFC in 2018, this upcoming bout on November 12 will be the 9th time in just 13 appearances that the Nigerian-born champion has headlined an event.
Watch Israel Adesanya push himself to the limits while training alongside Dan Hooker and Brad Riddell in the video below.