Alexandre Pereira is giving your support back Israel Adesanya in front of UFC 305 main fight against Dricus Du Plessis.
Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will have the chance to become the first three-time champion in middleweight history when he challenges Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) for the belt in August. 17 headlining at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
“The Last Stylebender” turns 35 next week and could face his last shot at the UFC belt if things don’t go his way. It’s a big moment for Adesanya, and arguably his biggest career rival wants to see him succeed and win UFC gold once again.
Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who has fought Adesanya four times in combat sports – going 2-0 in kickboxing and 1-1 in MMA – wants to see him thrive against Du Plessis.
“They asked me about Adesanya and Du Plessis – I said I don’t see Adesanya losing,” Pereira said in his Youtube channel. “Just because he said that about me doesn’t mean I’m going to respond. It’s what I think. I don’t think he will lose this fight. I hope he wins because he has a beautiful story. I think he has to continue his story. He’s not a young guy.”
Pereira, 37, has already said he would be open to training with Adesanya and harbors no ill will despite his track record. Many words have been exchanged between the two sides in recent years, but with Adesanya fighting for the 185-pound belt and Pereira currently ruling the light heavyweight division as UFC champion, there is no point in conflict.
Adesanya has routinely picked against Pereira as of late, with his predictions that Jamahal Hill would win at UFC 300 and Jiri Prochazka would dethrone the Brazilian at UFC 303 backfired.
However, Pereira will not reciprocate with the same type of prediction and instead said he will be rooting for Adesanya to raise his hand at UFC 305.
“I’m here, supporting him,” said Pereira. “I’ve already fought him, I’m not going to say he should lose. I’m not mad at him. No hard feelings. As I said, if one day it is possible to train with him, exchanging knowledge. Behind the scenes, we heard a lot about Adesanya. A lot of people talk about him like, ‘He’s this, he’s bad’ and all that.
“The people who really know him and with whom I have had contact speak highly of him. He has a good heart. A lot of times it’s just marketing. I believe that. I can see that he is a good person. So that’s why I’m here, rooting for him. If he doesn’t support me, it’s not my problem. But I’m here, rooting for him.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 305.
