Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya have a storied rivalry, with Pereira holding a significant edge in their head-to-head matchups. But exactly how many times has Pereira defeated Adesanya? Let’s delve into their fight history across kickboxing and MMA.
Pereira’s Dominance in Kickboxing
Before their battles in the UFC Octagon, Pereira and Adesanya first clashed in the world of kickboxing. Pereira emerged victorious in both of their encounters. Their first fight went the distance, with Pereira securing a unanimous decision victory. However, their second meeting ended in a more decisive fashion, with Pereira knocking out Adesanya. This knockout loss was particularly significant, as it remained the only time Adesanya had been knocked out in his combat sports career until their UFC 287 rematch. These two kickboxing victories established Pereira as a formidable opponent for Adesanya.
The Rivalry Continues in the UFC
Their rivalry transitioned to mixed martial arts when both fighters signed with the UFC. In their first MMA encounter at UFC 281, Pereira continued his winning ways, stopping Adesanya via TKO in the fifth round to capture the UFC middleweight championship. This victory solidified Pereira’s dominance over Adesanya, extending his winning streak against him to three.
Adesanya’s Revenge at UFC 287
However, the story doesn’t end there. At UFC 287, Adesanya finally got his revenge, knocking out Pereira in the second round to reclaim the middleweight title. This win was a monumental moment for Adesanya, as he not only avenged his previous losses but also became a two-time UFC middleweight champion.
The Final Count
Despite Adesanya’s victory at UFC 287, Alex Pereira still holds a 3-1 record against Israel Adesanya. This includes two wins in kickboxing (one by decision, one by knockout) and one win in the UFC (by TKO). While Adesanya’s recent win certainly shifted the narrative of their rivalry, Pereira undeniably holds the historical edge in their head-to-head matchups. Their history makes this one of the most compelling rivalries in combat sports.
