Alex Pereira may need Israel Adesanya’s quantity, however that doesn’t imply the 2 gained’t meet once more.
Pereira turned the brand new UFC middleweight champion after defeating ex-kickboxing rival Adesanya through standing TKO within the fifth and ultimate spherical of their blockbuster title battle final night time at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.
‘Poatan’ is 3-0 over Adesanya general with two earlier victories in kickboxing together with a vicious knockout of ‘The Final Stylebender’ at Glory Heroes of seven in 2017.
UFC president Dana White hinted {that a} fourth battle might be on the playing cards if defeated champ Adesanya requests an instantaneous rematch, crediting the Nigerian-born star for his willingness to battle sport opponents on brief discover.
“(Adesanya) wished this battle,” White instructed reporters on the UFC 281 post-fight press convention (h/t MMA Junkie). “Lots of people speak publicly and it’s an entire totally different story behind the scenes. That man is an absolute stud. He all the time desires to remain lively.
“In a battle that the majority guys would stall, ‘Give me extra time. Give me this, that,’ he dove proper into this battle. His solely loss was when he tried to maneuver up in weight to 205. You’ve received to respect him as champ and what he’s executed. … I wouldn’t rule (an instantaneous rematch) out.”
Adesanya teased a rematch with Pereira after congratulating the Brazilian on profitable the title. He instructed reporters after the battle: “It’s one other nice story for him, however it’s not over. That is nonetheless conflict.”
