Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira probably have one of the greatest rivalries in MMA history. Spanning nearly a decade, the two have been locked in the cage numerous times. However, following their latest encounter at UFC UFC 287, it appears that the two have seemingly buried the hatchet.
For those unaware, Izzy faced Pereira at UFC 287 in a rematch of their UFC 281 bout. On the night, Adesanya exacted revenge for his previous loss with a vicious KO of the Brazilian in the second round. Moreover, Adesanya even taunted Pereira’s son, who was present ringside.
Guess who I met at the airport ? 👀 pic.twitter.com/c2xr4MAVUs
— Alex “Poatan” Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) May 29, 2023
Despite their heated rivalry, Adesanya and Pereira showed respect for each other after the fight. Interestingly, there were talks of the two fighters potentially training together as well. As such, they recently crossed paths at an airport as well. Taking to Twitter, Pereira posted, “Guess who I met at the airport?”
In the video Pereira posted, he is seen waiting in line alongside Adesanya with featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski also in the background. As he pans the camera to Izzy, The Last Stylebender jokingly hides his face before breaking a smile and greeting Pereira. Whilst such a situation could have turned hostile in the past, it was a much calmer, and relaxed affair this time around.
Israel Adesanya gets the “kill shot” on Alex Pereira
Whilst the matter was all smiles and jokes this time around, it hasn’t been so in the past. During their kickboxing days, Pereira beat Izzy twice, one via decision and another with a vicious KO. Following that, Pereira seemingly followed Adesanya to the UFC and beat him again, claiming the middleweight title in the process.
However, at UFC 287, Izzy exacted revenge with a devastating KO of his own. After his win, the tie was set at 1-3 in Alex’s favor with many wanting to see a third fight in the UFC. However, according to Adesanya, the tie is sealed and the score is settled. Similarly, coach Eugene Bareman has also reiterated this, calling for Jamahal Hill to be Izzy’s next challenge.
💘💘💘❤️🔥
My life is a video game 🎮 pic.twitter.com/MoIdUniTJv— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) May 29, 2023
Whilst Alex seemingly wants a trilogy with Adesanya, his immediate future lies in the light heavyweight division. As such, we will see Alex take on Jan Blachowicz next at UFC 291. Thus, his rivalry with Adesanya seems settled for the foreseeable future. Taking to his Instagram story after their latest meeting at the airport, Izzy wrote, “FYI: I got the kill shot.”
Although a trilogy fight between Izzy and Alex cannot be ruled out, it will be difficult to make it happen. Not only are both fighters focused on different opponents, but there are also questions about their willingness to run it back for a fourth meeting. Would you like to see a trilogy fight between Adesanya and Pereira in the UFC? If so, then at what weight? Who do you think would win this time? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.