Former UFC two-division champion Alex Pereira has shown respect to his former rival, Israel Adesanya, following Adesanya`s induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Israel Adesanya, former UFC middleweight king, and Kelvin Gastelum delivered one of the most memorable fights in MMA history at UFC 236. Six years on, this legendary clash earned both fighters a place in the UFC Hall of Fame`s `Fight Wing`.
Adesanya won the interim UFC middleweight title via unanimous decision in a thrilling bout widely praised for its back-and-forth action, including a moment where Gastelum scored a rare knockdown on Adesanya.
Adesanya`s triumph at UFC 236 was a pivotal moment, launching his path to UFC superstardom, a status he maintains today. Although Gastelum`s career trajectory didn`t match initial high expectations, his performance against Adesanya is forever etched in UFC history.
Alex Pereira Reacts with a Classy Message
Adesanya is known for several significant rivalries, including his long-standing one with Alex Pereira across both kickboxing and MMA. Following two bouts in GLORY, their rivalry continued in the UFC, culminating in two highly anticipated middleweight title fights.
At UFC 281, Adesanya was ahead on scorecards but was dramatically stopped by Pereira in the final round. Adesanya avenged this loss decisively at UFC 287, knocking Pereira out in the second round.
Despite their fiercely competitive history, the rivalry between Adesanya and Pereira has evolved into one of mutual respect. Pereira quickly acknowledged Adesanya`s significant achievement, sharing a brief but poignant message on Instagram to congratulate his former foe on the Hall of Fame induction. His simple congratulation: “This is sport!”
Adding to the narrative of their changed dynamic, Pereira and Adesanya were seen together cageside at UFC 312, where Dricus du Plessis fought Sean Strickland. Their friendly interaction garnered significant attention from the MMA community.
Following their middleweight clashes, Pereira moved up to the light heavyweight division, where he now holds the championship title.
Potential Future Fight: Pereira vs. Ankalaev?
While Pereira is currently the light heavyweight champion, discussions surrounding a potential fight or rematch with Magomed Ankalaev persist, fueled by recent social media exchanges.
Although an immediate fight seemed possible previously, talks appear to have stalled, with Ankalaev reportedly looking towards other opponents. Pereira, having defended his title and taken time to rest, has indicated he plans to return to the octagon soon, potentially eyeing his next challenge in the light heavyweight division.
Rupert Hartwell