UFC: Alex Pereira calls out Israel Adesanya

By Jimmy

Following his UFC 295 victory, Brazilian UFC star, Alex Pereira has succeeded in attracting the attention of his rival, Israel Adesanya.

The former middleweight champion defeated Jiri Prochazka to take the vacant light heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York, becoming the ninth fighter in history to win a title in a second division.

And during Joe Rogan’s octagon interview post-match, Pereira called out Adesanya to follow him to light heavyweight.

“I’m not the type of guy to call people out but there is a guy that back in the day said that I was going to be someone who stayed in a bar. That motivated me and he rescued me from a bar to be here today,” Pereira said.

“That guy said he says he wants to come back in 2027, I think it’s a waste of talent so I want to rescue him too and come back to fight. It’s a guy that I have a history with so hey Adesanya, come to Daddy.”

SEE: Football for family: Osimhen reveals unknown fact behind his career

In response, Adesanya dropped a post on social media using the Disney movie “Frozen” as inspiration. The Nigerian fighter shared a picture of Pereira unconscious from their UFC 287 rematch in April and wrote: “Lol rent free, I sleep well. Let it go.”

Adesanya’s response seems to suggest that he isn’t interested in facing the Brazilian again after defeating Pereira in their most recent encounter at UFC 283 in April.

Before Adesanya’s victory, he had suffered defeat from Pereira twice in kickboxing and once in mixed martial arts (MMA). Adesanya took a five-month hiatus from the sport following his September UFC 293 title loss to Sean Strickland, and he seems content with his retaliation against Pereira.

After making his promotional debut in November 2021, Pereira won seven fights to become the fastest double champion in UFC history. He is expected to defend his latest title against Jamahal Hill, who withdrew from it earlier this year because of an injury.