Morning Report: Israel Adesanya wishes good luck to ‘next motherf******’ that faces Alex Pereira
Israel Adesanya couldn’t be any happier to have finally achieved victory over Alex Pereira.
“You will never feel this level of happiness if you don’t go for something in your own life,” Adesanya stated in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan at UFC 287 this past weekend. The event closed a chapter to what’s become one of combat sports’ most compelling matchups and storylines.
Kickboxers of the highest order, Adesanya and Pereira went toe-to-toe for the fourth time overall in their careers and the second time under MMA rules. “The Last Stylebender” entered the bout as the former middleweight champion down 0-3 in the series, leaving with his first win over “Poatan” and what he intends on being their last encounter.
“Good luck to the next motherf****** fighting this guy,” Adesanya laughed on his YouTube channel. “They’re gonna see how ‘easy’ it is. Take him down. That’s like the best thing you can do. But if you want to stand with this guy, f***** good luck. You’re gonna need it.
“What a weird body type. He’s got a body type made for fighting. He might have had one of those giant people in his ancestry. The ones that are 10 feet tall.”
Adesanya immediately shut down the idea of a trilogy with Pereira in his UFC 287 post-fight press conference, stating that he’s settled the score with his second-round knockout and title recapture. Despite an argument to be made of the pairing not being much of a rivalry due to the one-sided nature of results, things are now tied up in MMA at 1-1 with Pereira getting his last win via a TKO to become the champion at UFC 281 in November 2022. UFC President Dana White wasn’t so sure of an MMA trilogy next either, sharing that he expects to see Pereira make his way to light heavyweight.
Pereira’s rise through the UFC ranks and just MMA, in general, led to all the elements of a perfect storm with his old kickboxing foe Adesanya. The four bouts have told their own stories. Competitive is putting it mildly as Adesanya found success each time, it just wasn’t until the most recent effort that he was able to close the show, and for him, put a stamp on this dramatic saga.
“I’m glad it was him,” Adesanya said. “I’m glad this whole thing happened with him. He looks the part, too. A f****** titan. Slay the f****** dragon.”
TOP STORIES
Level-Up. Matt Brown puts Israel Adesanya in top 5 greatest of all-time after ‘f****** amazing’ win over Alex Pereira
Roundtable. Who should be next for Israel Adesanya after UFC 287?
Rivals. Alex Pereira reacts to ‘child’ Israel Adesanya mocking his son following UFC 287 knockout: ‘I wouldn’t do the same’
Rankings. Israel Adesanya regains top 5 spot with championship redemption
Departure. Cynthia Calvillo released from the UFC following UFC 287 loss
VIDEO STEW
Ryan Garcia open workout.
Allen’s camp.
Barboza-Quarantillo preview.
Carmouche vs. Bennett 1.
Stots’ head kick.
Full fight.
PFL 2, 2023 knockouts.
History.
LISTEN UP
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses the possibility of Adesanya vs. Pereira 3. Plus, reacting to fallout of UFC 287.
MORNING MUSIC
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Stand back...
Stay in the back. There’s a coming through
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 11, 2023
B2YB @Bose | #PFLRegularSeason pic.twitter.com/1zx1oNmFs3
Classy.
Taking this moment to apologize to @GamebredFighter and his team @mikebrownmma @AmericanTopTeam pic.twitter.com/jNZva97ugO
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 11, 2023
Sodiq.
Fun one this weekend. Follow the science and the money will make itself. https://t.co/Znrotlcrtn https://t.co/RtFNeLsKK5 pic.twitter.com/cImq8jzRc8
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) April 11, 2023
Full circle.
The last time Amber and I were this close.. we were punching each other in the face 7 years ago
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) April 11, 2023
So happy seeing her have all the success she's worked hard for! pic.twitter.com/FcC66ujXqf
Flashbacks.
Flashback to the biggest win of @ArnoldBFA's career
— UFC (@ufc) April 11, 2023
He's coming to top it Saturday night at #UFCKansasCity!
Tickets to see it live are still available https://t.co/2BH7wGSAGp pic.twitter.com/adOCDjOCcx
8 years ago today, Leon Edwards scored an 8 second knockout to pick up his first UFC winpic.twitter.com/PKWFjcad1Z
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) April 11, 2023
Fact checker.
That beach is in Dubai https://t.co/DeBWhQjuqi
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) April 12, 2023
Classic “Blessed.”
If @BlessedMMA points at the ground - DON'T BLINK
— UFC (@ufc) April 12, 2023
Catch Holloway in action Saturday night at #UFCKansasCity!
See it live https://t.co/2BH7wGSAGp pic.twitter.com/DGwtsMqyO2
Freedom.
The win.
Passion.
Crossover.
Sparred 3 Rounds With The #7 Middleweight In The UFC… Shit Was Wicked pic.twitter.com/tt5IPAU8uo
— MaddMaxx (@CrosbyMaxx) April 12, 2023
Prediction.
Izzy beats Hill for the LHW strap I guarantee he’d fight Jon at HW. ♂️ https://t.co/spH1tW1LZD
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) April 12, 2023
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Seika Izawa (9-0) vs. Suwanan “Amp the Rocket” Boonsorn (5-3); Deep Jewels 41, May 28
Gadzhi Rabadanov (19-4-1) vs. Pieter Buist (17-6); Bellator 297, June 16
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s going to be pretty interesting to see how everything involving Adesanya and Pereira plays out this year. Luckily, I think we’re in a spot where I don’t really think there are any bad options.
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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