As Israel Adesanya prepares to mount a comeback in the ‘final chapter’ of his career, he’s receiving some support from an unexpected source: his longtime rival Alex Pereira.
In the world of kickboxing, Adesanya and Pereira were fierce competitors. Surprisingly, Pereira, also known as “Poatan,” managed to defeat Izzy not once, but twice. However, Pereira decided to transition into the realm of MMA and eventually made his way into the prestigious UFC. There, he accomplished the incredible feat of snatching Adesanya’s middleweight championship title. Nevertheless, Adesanya was determined to reclaim his throne. In an epic rematch, he emerged victorious and reclaimed his coveted belt.
Normally that much history would lead to a lot of negative feelings, but Pereira not only expects Adesanya to win his next fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, he’s actively cheering for “The Last Stylebender” to emerge victorious and continue succeeding.
“In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Pereira expressed his belief that he is confident in his ability to emerge victorious in this fight. Moreover, he fervently wishes for him to triumph, as he possesses an incredibly captivating story that deserves to be continued.”
“He’s no longer as young as before, and he has expressed some doubts about wanting to quit … However, I believe he should persist with his plans. It seems like he hasn’t achieved all of his goals yet. If he had accomplished them, he would have already given up. Therefore, his presence in the sport of MMA suggests that he still has dreams and aspirations to fulfill within this field.”
“I’m present, and I am filled with support,” he stated confidently. “We’ve already had our disagreements, but I refuse to wish for his defeat. There is no anger or resentment within me. Like I mentioned before, if the opportunity arises, I am open to training together, exchanging knowledge.”
Pereira dismissed a lot of Adesanya’s barbs towards him as ‘marketing.’
The individuals I’ve interacted with, who truly know him, hold him in high regard. They attest to his kindhearted nature and acknowledge his diligent efforts. Personally, I have witnessed his goodness and am thus rooting for him. If he chooses not to support me, it no longer concerns me. Despite that, I am present and wholeheartedly cheering him on.
That’s not the kind of sentiment you usually get out of a fierce competitor like Pereira (and certainly not the sentiment being returned from Adesanya), but the stone-faced “Poatan” continues to surprise us with the depth of his character.
