Israel Adesanya, the former UFC champion, claims gratitude from fellow fighters for removing Alex Pereira from the middleweight division with his knockout victory in April. UFC 295 is set to take place on Sunday morning at Madison Square Garden, featuring two title fights, including Pereira challenging for the vacant light heavyweight title against former champion Jiri Prochazka.
Adesanya asserts that Pereira’s move to light heavyweight, initiated after his defeat, ultimately spared the middleweight division from the Brazilian knockout specialist. Adesanya emphasizes that middleweights should be thankful for him, stating on his YouTube channel, “These middleweights can get on their f***ing knees and thank me ’cause I got this man out of there. If not, you would have to deal with him over and over and over again, all of you.”
“I doubt any of you would want to f***ing fight this guy. I did four times but I got it done just with one.”
Sean Strickland now holds the middleweight strap after dethroning Adesanya in September by unanimous decision.
“The Last Stylebender” is taking some time to hang out on the sidelines before he makes his next fight move and has backed Prochazka to beat Pereira.
“I like this fight because they’re both very unorthodox in their approach, their fighting style,” Adesanya said.
“The way Pereira leg kicks, the way Jiri likes to own the space and throw combos. Even like his potshots, the way he moves. His movement is crazy. Like it’s just very unorthodox.
“I’m going with Jiri. No (it doesn’t go the distance). Five rounds, I don’t think so. Not with this one. Not at light heavyweight. It doesn’t go the distance.”
