‘It helps’ — Israel Adesanya reveals how making peace with Alex Pereira and ex-UFC rival improved his game
Israel Adesanya has admitted that conversations with Alex Pereira have helped him develop as a fighter. Adesanya also revealed how making up with Robert Whittaker has brought ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘energy’ to his game. Adesanya fights for the first time since August last year this weekendGetty ‘The Last Stylebender’ has stepped into the octagon twice with both Pereira, who is the current UFC light heavyweight champion, and Whittaker since making his debut with the promotion in 2018. Adesanya’s first encounter with Whittaker was an all-Oceanic affair to unify the middleweight division, and marked the first time the former held gold within Dana White‘s promotion. The main event clash at UFC 243 in Australia was so compelling that it still holds the record for the highest-attended UFC event of all time as 57,127 people packed into Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium. On top of this, the Nigerian-New Zealand native’s consecutive title bouts with Pereira created some of the most viral moments in UFC history, considering both finished in brutal fashion. He dropped the 185-pound strap to Pereira at UFC 281 in 2022 before claiming it back in a rematch five months later. “Making peace helps,” Adesanya said, speaking to Stake.com, when asked what he has done to develop as a fighter. “Even just having Robert Whitaker around with his enthusiasm for the game and his energy. “It was nice to have him in the room with us, coming to my house and breaking down the fight. “We were sharing stories and breaking bread. Overall, he is just a cool guy.” Adesanya shocked MMA fans around the world when he was pictured sparring with Whittaker ahead of his UFC return in Saudi Arabia. Nearly six years after their rematch at UFC 271GETTY Adesanya reunited with Whittaker ahead of his next fight@stylebender on X The former UFC champion’s fight with Nassourdine Imavov on Saturday will be his first non-title fight in six years. Adesanya is a former two-time UFC middleweight champion, having defended the 185-pound strap a whopping seven times. Interestingly, as well as it being his first non-title fight in six years, the bout will be Adesanya’s first fight on a non-pay-per-view card since 2018. He has competed in 14 successive UFC PPV cards over the past six years, and now finds himself in unfamiliar territory, fighting on a Fight Night card in an attempt to cement his name in another UFC title fight. “I’ve been talking a little bit with Alex Pereira also,” Adesanya added. “I’ve learnt that whatever doesn’t serve me anymore I can’t hold onto. All the negative energy I have will go to Nassourdine Imamov. I really can’t wait. Israel Adesanya's last five fights (W2, L3) Loss – Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 on August 17, 2024 via fourth-round submission Loss – Sean Strickland at UFC 293 on September 9, 2023 via unanimous decision Win – Alex Pereira at UFC 287 on April 8, 2022 via second-round KO Loss – Alex Pereira at UFC 281 on November 12, 2022 via fifth-round TKO Win – Jared Cannonier at UFC 276 on July 2, 2022 via unanimous decision Adesanya was rocked multiple times in his first UFC fight with PereiraGetty But knocked the Brazilian out the rematchGetty “I’m patiently waiting for the day for the cage door to close and then we can just get it on.” Dricus Du Plessis is the current UFC middleweight champion and submitted Adesanya in both men’s last appearance in August. The bout at UFC 305 marked Du Plessis’ first defence of the belt since winning it seven months prior against Sean Strickland, who shockingly beat Adesanya in September 2023 to win his first title. Du Plessis and Strickland are set to meet again for the middleweight belt on February 9 in the main event of UFC 312, and Adesanya seemingly doesn’t mind who wins the bout with a potential fight against the winner coming next should he get past Imavov. “I think Dricus takes the cake,” Adesanya concluded, speaking on the rematch. “He’s a really good fighter and he is good at what he does. He’s already beat Strickland – even though he just edged it out, but I think he still won. “This time it will be a bit more decisive. But if it is close, I will not be surprised because Sean Strickland is always game. “I’m not fussed and I don’t have a preference about facing either Dricus or Strickland in a rematch for the title. “My focus is on Imamov and I will take on every challenge as it comes.” Adesanya is set to feature in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250, with Britain’s Michael Page taking on Shara Magomedov in the co-main event.
Israel Adesanya has admitted that conversations with Alex Pereira have helped him develop as a fighter.
Adesanya also revealed how making up with Robert Whittaker has brought ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘energy’ to his game.
‘The Last Stylebender’ has stepped into the octagon twice with both Pereira, who is the current UFC light heavyweight champion, and Whittaker since making his debut with the promotion in 2018.
Adesanya’s first encounter with Whittaker was an all-Oceanic affair to unify the middleweight division, and marked the first time the former held gold within Dana White‘s promotion.
The main event clash at UFC 243 in Australia was so compelling that it still holds the record for the highest-attended UFC event of all time as 57,127 people packed into Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
On top of this, the Nigerian-New Zealand native’s consecutive title bouts with Pereira created some of the most viral moments in UFC history, considering both finished in brutal fashion.
He dropped the 185-pound strap to Pereira at UFC 281 in 2022 before claiming it back in a rematch five months later.
“Making peace helps,” Adesanya said, speaking to Stake.com, when asked what he has done to develop as a fighter.
“Even just having Robert Whitaker around with his enthusiasm for the game and his energy.
“It was nice to have him in the room with us, coming to my house and breaking down the fight.
“We were sharing stories and breaking bread. Overall, he is just a cool guy.”
Adesanya shocked MMA fans around the world when he was pictured sparring with Whittaker ahead of his UFC return in Saudi Arabia.
The former UFC champion’s fight with Nassourdine Imavov on Saturday will be his first non-title fight in six years.
Adesanya is a former two-time UFC middleweight champion, having defended the 185-pound strap a whopping seven times.
Interestingly, as well as it being his first non-title fight in six years, the bout will be Adesanya’s first fight on a non-pay-per-view card since 2018.
He has competed in 14 successive UFC PPV cards over the past six years, and now finds himself in unfamiliar territory, fighting on a Fight Night card in an attempt to cement his name in another UFC title fight.
“I’ve been talking a little bit with Alex Pereira also,” Adesanya added.
“I’ve learnt that whatever doesn’t serve me anymore I can’t hold onto. All the negative energy I have will go to Nassourdine Imamov. I really can’t wait.
Israel Adesanya's last five fights (W2, L3)
Loss – Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 on August 17, 2024 via fourth-round submission
Loss – Sean Strickland at UFC 293 on September 9, 2023 via unanimous decision
Win – Alex Pereira at UFC 287 on April 8, 2022 via second-round KO
Loss – Alex Pereira at UFC 281 on November 12, 2022 via fifth-round TKO
Win – Jared Cannonier at UFC 276 on July 2, 2022 via unanimous decision
“I’m patiently waiting for the day for the cage door to close and then we can just get it on.”
Dricus Du Plessis is the current UFC middleweight champion and submitted Adesanya in both men’s last appearance in August.
The bout at UFC 305 marked Du Plessis’ first defence of the belt since winning it seven months prior against Sean Strickland, who shockingly beat Adesanya in September 2023 to win his first title.
Du Plessis and Strickland are set to meet again for the middleweight belt on February 9 in the main event of UFC 312, and Adesanya seemingly doesn’t mind who wins the bout with a potential fight against the winner coming next should he get past Imavov.
“I think Dricus takes the cake,” Adesanya concluded, speaking on the rematch.
“He’s a really good fighter and he is good at what he does. He’s already beat Strickland – even though he just edged it out, but I think he still won.
“This time it will be a bit more decisive. But if it is close, I will not be surprised because Sean Strickland is always game.
“I’m not fussed and I don’t have a preference about facing either Dricus or Strickland in a rematch for the title.
“My focus is on Imamov and I will take on every challenge as it comes.”
Adesanya is set to feature in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250, with Britain’s Michael Page taking on Shara Magomedov in the co-main event.
