Israel Adesanya was pretty pumped to see his former rival reclaim the light heavyweight title.<\/p>\n
This past Saturday, Alex Pereira won back the light heavyweight title by knocking out Magomed Ankalaev in their rematch at UFC 320. Pereira lost a tepid decision to Ankalaev in their first fight earlier this year, but at UFC 320 came out looking like a man possessed, rolling through Ankalaev in less than 90 seconds. On Sunday, Adesanya uploaded his real-time reaction to Pereira\u2019s upset victory.<\/p>\n
\u201dChama!\u201d Adesanya said as he watched the fight. \u201cThe way he went at him straight away, you could see. And when Ankalaev switched [stances], it was like, OK, he\u2019s on. Dang. Back to it. Two-time light heavyweight champ!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adesanya has a long history with Pereira across multiple sports. The two initially met in kickboxing, where \u201cPoatan\u201d holds two wins over \u201cThe Last Stylebender.\u201d After Adesanya made such a successful transition to MMA, Pereira followed suit, and the UFC quickly built Pereira up to a title fight against Adesanya in MMA, which Pereira won by fifth-round TKO. The two rematched with Adesanya, finally defeating Pereira for the first time, putting him to sleep with the 2023 Knockout of the Year.<\/p>\n
After that, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight, where he went on to win the title and defend it three times before losing the belt to Ankalaev. Also since then, Pereira and Adesanya have put their rivalry behind them, and as such, Adesanya had no qualms about showing his respect for Poatan\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce Ankalaev went orthodox, I knew it was a wrap,\u201d Adesanya said. \u201cI felt it was a wrap. Because you\u2019re giving him the leg he likes. That means his right leg was compromised from the inside leg kicks already.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe came out smoke, and straight away attacked him, put him behind the black line, and then attacked the front leg. He didn\u2019t in the last fight because someone said he was compromised and his foot or his leg was hurt. But two or three, and then Ankalaev switched and \u2026 that\u2019s all she wrote. Knockout by the champ!\u201d<\/p>\n
But just because Adesanya and Pereira have set their rivalry aside, that doesn\u2019t quite make them friends. And with his teammate Carlos Ulberg currently positioned as the presumptive No. 1 contender at light heavyweight, Adesanya is hoping that\u2019s next up for his old foe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that would be a good fight,\u201d Adesanya said about a potential Pereira vs. Ulberg matchup. \u201cThere\u2019s a parallel. In that fight, all [Carlos] has to watch out for is a leg kick. His eyes are good, and he\u2019ll catch him. Because Pereira, sometimes his reactions are too slow. But that leg kick, if he gets it, it\u2019s going to be a problem. Then he\u2019ll slow down [Carlos]. But we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear if Ulberg will be next for Poatan. After the fight, Pereira lobbied for a heavyweight superfight with Jon Jones, though he did suggest he does not wish to vacate his belt at the moment, and is open to facing whoever the UFC decides is most deserving.<\/p>\n
Superfight. Alex Pereira wants a superfight<\/a> with Jon Jones at UFC White House.<\/p>\n Or not. Dana White explains why he\u2019s hesitant<\/a> to allow Alex Pereira to fight at heavyweight.<\/p>\n Stardom. \u2018Maybe it did break me\u2019<\/a>: Conor McGregor admits superstardom overwhelmed him at times during career peak.<\/p>\n Statement. Magomed Ankalaev releases his first statement since his knockout loss<\/a> to Alex Pereira.<\/p>\n Bantamweight. Merab Dvalishvili has no plans to chase a second UFC title: \u2018This is my division.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Happy. Jiri Prochazka was happy to see Alex Pereira win at UFC 320 because of Magomed Ankalaev\u2019s \u2018bullsh*t.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Defeat. \u2018I can\u2019t be upset\u2019<\/a>: Patchy Mix releases first statement after UFC 320 loss to Jakub Wiklacz.<\/p>\n UFC 320 Press Conference.<\/p>\n Alex Pereira final fight week vlog.<\/p>\n Max Holloway reacts to UFC 320.<\/p>\n SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE<\/p>\n Not only did Pereira reclaim the title, it was the easiest fight of his career. Incredibly impressive stuff, and a brutal beat for Ankalaev.<\/p>\n Alex vs. Jon Jones at the UFC White House fight card. Alex can vacate the title, and they can fight for the GOAT belt or some shit. But that\u2019s the fight. Nothing else comes close. After that, then Pereira can think about Aspinall and heavyweight or whatever. But do the big business first.<\/p>\n If you find something you\u2019d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee<\/a> or @JedKMeshew<\/a> on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n