Israel Adesanya's rivalry with Alex Pereira lived up to all the hype that it garnered when the pair finally met at UFC 281 in November. Former light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira revealed that the new middleweight champion is constantly re-watching his fifth-round TKO victory over Adesanya.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Teixeira stated:
"I'd like to see that fight again because of adjustments they make. Alex, he's crazy man. He watches the fight every time he comes to my house. We hang out all the time. We don't do too much stuff, but we hang out. I call him, 'Hey Alex, what are you doing? Bring your kids, I'll make some hamburgers over here, we'll hang out.' I like to hang out, talk s**t."
The No.1-ranked light heavyweight continued:
"He sits down in front of the TV, 'hey, can you put my fight on?' It's like, bro, we already watched that fight like 500 times, and he keeps watching. 'Oh right there, you see right there, Glover, that's the position, that's where he was.' I think if that fight happens again right away right now, I think Alex would beat him in all the rounds. With that, last fight."
While Pereira has won all three fights against Adesanya, with two coming in kickboxing and one in mixed martial arts, each fight has been very closely contested. Adesanya will likely be Pereira's first title defense, as he looks to reclaim his place atop the middleweight division.
Watch Glover Teixeira discuss Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya below (starting at the 20:34 mark):
Alex Pereira admits that Israel Adesanya almost knocked him out at the end of round one
Israel Adesanya nearly picked up a first-round knockout over Alex Pereira at UFC 281. His opponent, however, was saved by the bell and was able to come from behind to pick up a fifth-round TKO victory. 'Poatan' recently admitted that the fight could've ended if Adesanya had a few more seconds.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Pereira stated, via a translator:
"The few of the punches, I actually went to my corner thinking that I got hit just once. I did not even see the second punch, but it could have been over in 30 more seconds... Maybe he could have finished the fight... When the round was over, I didn't know where to go."
Adesanya will most likely receive an opportunity to avenge his loss in Pereira's first title defense. He has shared that he will continue trying until he is victorious.
Watch Alex Pereira admit that he was nearly finished by Israel Adesanya below (starting at the 1:50:15 mark):
