Israel Adesanya seeks to regain the UFC middleweight title when he challenges Dricus du Plessis in the principle occasion of UFC 305, and longtime rival Alex Pereira is overtly rooting for his success.
Pereira, who fought Adesanya 4 occasions throughout two sports activities, stated on his YouTube channel that he holds no grudges in the direction of Adesanya, and in contrast to his former opponent, who picked Pereira to lose in fights with Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, “Poatan” desires Adesanya to emerge victorious in opposition to du Plessus on Aug. 17.
“[People] requested me about Adesanya and du Plessis, I stated I don’t see Adesanya shedding,” Pereira stated. “Simply because he stated that about me doesn’t imply I’ll say it again. It’s what I believe. I don’t suppose he loses this battle. I hope he wins as a result of he has a phenomenal story. I believe he has to proceed his story.”
Adesanya beat Pereira in April 2023 however misplaced his title to Sean Strickland 5 months later, then took a 12 months off earlier than reserving a title bout with du Plessis, who dethroned Strickland within the meantime.
“He isn’t that younger anymore,” Pereira stated of Adesanya. “He talked a bit of about eager to cease [fighting], I believe he has that in thoughts. I believe he ought to proceed his plans. I don’t suppose he completed his plans, I don’t know. If he had completed his plans he would of stopped already, so if he’s nonetheless there, he nonetheless has a dream, one thing to do within the sport nonetheless. I’m right here, supporting him. I already fought him, I’m not going to say he ought to lose. I’m not mad at him, no grudges.”
Pereira and Adesanya embraced after their MMA rematch backstage at UFC 287 in 2023, when “The Final Stylebender” scored his first victory in opposition to Pereira after shedding twice in kickboxing and as soon as contained in the octagon. Pereira later talked about the potential of coaching collectively as soon as it was official that their paths will not cross.
Pereira once more talked about these intentions on his YouTube channel.
“Like I stated, if sooner or later it’s doable to coach with him and trade information,” Pereira stated. “We hear lots of issues about Adesanya behind the scenes, lots of people speak about him, ‘He’s like this, he’s annoying,’ and whatnot. Individuals who actually know him, that I’ve contact with, say good issues about him, say he has a superb coronary heart. Numerous the occasions it’s simply advertising and marketing, and I imagine that.
“I can see he’s a superb particular person, in order that’s why I’m right here, cheering for him. If he doesn’t cheer for me, that’s not my downside. However I’m right here, cheering for him.”
…. to be continued
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