Israel Adesanya has chosen a side in his former bitter rival’s crucial rematch.
Saturday sees the first UFC pay-per-view event since mid-August take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and some big names are preparing to headline in competition for divisional gold.
Alex Pereira will challenge Magomed Ankalaev for the light heavyweight title in the UFC 320 main event, as ‘Poatan’ looks for redemption after being dethroned by the Dagestani this past March.
Having claimed that injuries hampered him the first time around, Pereira has vowed to make good on his promise to avenge that result. And Adesanya, for one, believes in his ability to do so.
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Israel Adesanya backs former rival Alex Pereira to get revenge on Magomed Ankalaev
Among those who will have a keen eye on the October 4 numbered event is Adesanya, a legendary UFC middleweight who crossed swords with Pereira four times across both MMA and kickboxing.
Since Adesanya brutally knocked out Pereira in 2023, closing the book on their storied rivalry, the pair have interacted and built a strong relationship.
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, the Nigerian-New Zealander made his prediction for Pereira’s upcoming assignment in ‘Sin City’.
“I think Alex will be more prepared for this fight,” Adesanya said.
“He’s more motivated. He hasn’t lost that light heavyweight (title) and had that fire, where it’s like, ‘F— man, I’ve gotta get this back.’ It’s something different when you want to get back.
“For this fight, I’m gonna go Alex Pereira,” Adesanya continued. “But it’s not gonna be an easy fight, based on the first fight, from what I’ve seen.
“It’s easier said than done, but I think Alex can do it. I’m gonna go ‘Poatan’ by (decision) in this fight.”
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Dricus du Plessis shares Israel Adesanya’s thoughts on Magomed Ankalaev vs Alex Pereira 2
Adesanya is not alone with his pro-Pereira prediction, with one of his most recent rivals leaning the same way.
Appearing on Fight Forecast, ex-middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis explained why he is picking Pereira to get the job done at UFC 320.
“The thing with Pereira is, he’s a brilliant fighter in the sense that he walks you down, he’s intimidating because he hits so hard, he doesn’t care if he walks into the fire,” Du Plessis said.
“Ankalaev was smart in the first fight to stay out the way and then get all the way in to smother him and put him on the back foot. When Pereira’s on the back foot, he’s not the best, that’s not his style. But they now know Ankalaev’s gonna close that gap.
“I know Ankalaev said he’s gonna strike with him, I don’t think that’s a good idea, I really don’t think that’s a good idea,” Du Plessis continued. “But yeah, I really don’t see this fight going the distance this time and I’m putting my money on Pereira.”