Israel Adesanya: Alex Pereira 'exponentially getting better,' can beat Magomed Ankalaev
Israel Adesanya: Alex Pereira 'exponentially getting better,' can beat Magomed Ankalaev
Israel Adesanya has faith that Alex Pereira can bounce back in a title-fight rematch against Magomed Ankalaev.
After three light heavyweight title defenses, Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was dethroned by Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) in the UFC 313 main event in March. Although he stuffed all 12 of Ankalaev's takedowns in the fight, he was ultimately outstruck in a unanimous decision loss.
The expectation was for Ankalaev and Pereira to run things back, but according to Ankalaev, "Poatan" isn't ready for a rematch just yet. If Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 is indeed next, Adesanya thinks his former foe can avenge the loss.
"I'm so proud of the guy, what he's done," Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. "It's like I created a monster. He showed why he is who he is across two weight classes. I can't wait to see the next fight with him and Ankalaev again. I think it'll be another hard one, but I think he can get it done, because it wasn't a complete washout for that fight. He's exponentially getting better, as well."
Adesanya knows a thing or two about avenging losses. Pereira was the one to put a stop to his first middleweight title reign when he knocked him out at UFC 281, but Adesanya was able to exact his revenge by scoring a knockout of his own in their rematch at UFC 287. Two kickboxing matches, and two MMA fights later, Adesanya and Pereira have since buried the hatchet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Erin Blanchfield trashes Maycee Barber, reveals what led to fight cancellation
The UFC Vegas 107 fight card on Saturday was supposed to be headlined by a women's flyweight bout between No. 4 ranked Erin Blanchfield and No. 5 ranked Maycee Barber. Neither fighter ended up stepping foot inside the octagon at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Due to a Barber medical issue and not being cleared to fight moments before make the walk to the octagon, the bout was abruptly cancelled. During the event's post-fight press conference, Blanchfield ripped Barber. Advertisement "I feel like I'm in pretty disbelief right now. I feel like I was in disbelief yesterday when she missed weight because we've known about this fight since January. You could have been 50 pounds overweight and still made weight," Blanchfield said. "So she missed weight. She gets to Saturday. She gets to the locker room. I'm fully ready to go. She's supposed to be ready to go. Supposedly she has all these health issues right before we're supposed to fight. I think it's pretty crazy, pretty unprofessional. I wouldn't want to fight her again," Blanchfield continued. "I would not want to book another fight with her." The fight promotion didn't disclose what medical issue Barber was dealing with on Saturday, but Blanchfield shared what she was told. Related: Erin Blanchfield reacts to UFC Vegas 107 main event cancelation "I was told she had a seizure in the locker room. I don't know how or why exactly that was caused, but that's what I was told," Blanchfield said. Advertisement "I was literally told, 'six minutes until walkout.' It was already six minutes. I thought I was being told, okay, it's time to go and then Hunter [Campbell] comes in and tells me what happened. It's pretty crazy." Blanchfield had no sympathy for Barber. She berated the Top 5 contender and offered some brutal advice. "She needs to look at another division. She needs to fix her life. She just needs to fix herself," Blanchfield said. "I think she's a complete mess in every aspect of her entire life." Erin Blanchfield missed an opportunity Blanchfield would have entered the bout having won 10 of her last 11 fights and was coming off a decision win over former two-time strawweight titleholder Rose Namajunas. With a solid performance, she could have earned a title shot. When Barber couldn't compete, Blanchfield lost a big opportunity. "This fight was possibly a contenders fight," Blanchfield said. "I was really ready to put on a show tonight. It definitely leaves me in a bit of a weird place. I mean I know there's other girls in the Top 5 that I could fight. I guess we'll just have to go back and reassess."
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
UFC commentators stunned as main event cancelled after Maycee Barber suffers reported seizure
The UFC world has been left stunned after the Vegas 107 main event was cancelled at the last possible moment after Maycee Barber suffered a seizure. Barber was supposed to be returning after a 14-month layoff due to several health issues to face rising contender Erin Blanchfield. However, she never made it to the UFC Octagon after suffering a seizure as she started to make the walk. Barber missed weight ahead of the card as concerns about her health lingered but no one would have expected what happened on Sunday. After the UFC broadcast played the pre-main event video package, no fighter emerged much to the confusion of the commentators. The Vegas 107 main event was cancelled after Maycee Barber suffered a seizure. Zuffa LLC After half a minute of silence, Brendan Fitzgerald informed fans Barber was 'not prepared to walk.' 'I'm still getting details but all I know is that she is not walking to the Octagon right now,' Fitzgerald said. 'This is truly unprecedented and for me, for a main event prepared to make the introductions and she's not there to walk right now.' The broadcast team quickly cut to an ad break before returning to confirm the main event had been cancelled due to a 'health event.' A general view of the Octagon as the fight between Maycee Barber and Erin Blanchfield was canceled. Zuffa LLC That health event was later confirmed to be a seizure, as fighters quickly sent their well-wishes to the 27-year-old. 'Seizures! Woah, that's very serious. Hopefully, she is able to recover and fight again. Prayers to her,' Australian UFC fighter Casey O'Neill wrote on X. 'Prayers up to Maycee Barber,' one fan added. While another wrote: 'All the best Maycee Barber. My thoughts are with you.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Stephen Thompson vs Gabriel Bonfim Official for UFC Nashville Card
Stephen Thompson vs Gabriel Bonfim Official for UFC Nashville Card originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC Nashville is shaping up to be one of the summer's most action-packed cards. Scheduled for July 12 at Bridgestone Arena in Tennessee, the event is anchored by a heavyweight headliner featuring knockout artist Derrick Lewis taking on Brazil's towering powerhouse, Tallison Teixeira. As anticipation builds for that slugfest, the UFC has now added another compelling matchup to the lineup—one that could mark a career crossroads for a beloved veteran and a pivotal proving ground for a fast-rising prospect. Advertisement Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson 42, is set to face Gabriel 'Marretinha' Bonfim 27, from Brazil in a welterweight clash announced via the UFC's official X account. Thompson, once known for his elusive striking and karate-based style, is currently riding a two-fight skid, including a recent defeat to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307. With questions looming about his future, this fight may very well determine if he remains a contender or fades into the background. Stephen ThompsonGetty Images On the other side, Bonfim enters the bout with momentum. After submitting Khaos Williams in his last outing, he extended his UFC record to 5-1, with his only loss coming to Nicolas Dalby in 2023. Gabriel BonfimGetty Images A win over a decorated name like Thompson could fast-track Bonfim into the division's top 15 and bolster his reputation as a legitimate force at 170 pounds. UFC CEO Dana WhitePhoto by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images UFC President Dana White continues his push to build strong summer lineups, and this latest welterweight matchup adds more depth, attention, and significance to an already exciting and competitive Nashville card that continues to gain momentum. Advertisement Related: 'He's Overrated' – Jon Jones Fires at Former UFC Interim Champion Related: UFC Veteran Teases Date for Heavily Pursued Conor McGregor Showdown This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
