The trilogy fight between Nigeria MMA middleweight champion Israel ‘The Last Stylelbender’ Adesanya and Brazilian Alex ‘Poatan’ Pareira could after all be bubbling in the pipeline.
Adesanya was able to defeat Pereira in a thrilling fashion at UFC 287 to avenge his previous losses and reclaimed the UFC title.
While some fans were hoping for a trilogy bout between the long-time rivals, Pereira has since moved on to light heavyweight.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, The Last Stylebender’ revealed the only condition that will make him share the cage with ‘Poatan’ once again:
“If he wins the 205 belt, maybe… If I’m going to bet money on it, no, because 205, I’ve been there, it’s hard. It’s not an easy task, but if he wins the 205 belt though, and they might give him a fast track like they did with me, then they’re going to have a magic, crazy f**king epic fight at 205 with me and him, and that will be us for the fifth time. Isn’t that wild?”
The middleweight champion also discussed his iconic celebration after knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC 287.
‘The Last Stylebender’ used his long-time rival’s bow and arrow celebration against him before returning the favor to taunt Poatan’s son who was cage side with his mom.
“I took his whole st. Now, bow and arrow is synonymous with me… It’s no beef. I wasn’t, for the last six years, like ‘Fk, I’m going to get this kid,’ but I just knew I’m going to get him because when it happened I said, ‘If my son did that to someone I just knocked out, I’d be like what the f**k are you doing? Apologize to that man because I didn’t raise you that way.’
Adesanya explained further:
“Then when he’s in the car making light of it with his son, and they’re talking s**t, it’s like whatever, okay, cool, bet. I just noted that. It’s not too personal, but at the same time it’s just business.”
Adesanya and Pereira faced off two times in kickboxing.
‘Poatan’ won the first meeting in a closely-contested decision victory before picking up a late knockout in the second bout.
He would then claim the middleweight title with a fifth-round TKO in their first mixed martial arts meeting at UFC 281.
Despite seemingly being ahead in all three fights, ‘The Last Stylebender’ was unable to figure out his long-time rival until UFC 287 when he landed a second-round knockout.
Pereira is scheduled to face No.3-ranked light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291.
If he is able to emerge victorious, he will quickly be in the title picture, opening the door for a trilogy bout with Adesanya.
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