Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya reacts during his fight with Sean Strickland (not pictured) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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Israel Adesanya Predicts The Winner Of UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev

Ahead of his fight with Nassourdine Imavov this weekend in the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Adesanya was asked about his prediction for the main event of UFC 313!

Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya reacts during his fight with Sean Strickland (not pictured) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

Some rivalries burn so hot they transcend weight classes and title belts in MMA. Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira share one of those epic stories, dating back to their kickboxing days when Pereira defeated Adesanya twice. Their saga continued in the UFC, where Pereira again stopped Adesanya to claim the middleweight title in 2022, only for Adesanya to even the score with a spectacular knockout in their rematch.

Now, with Pereira dominating the light heavyweight division and Adesanya facing his own career crossroads, their paths have diverged but their story remains intertwined. Ahead of his fight with Nassourdine Imavov this weekend in the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Adesanya was asked about his prediction for the main event of UFC 313.

Also Read: ‘I Have No Problem With Him’ – Alex Pereira Did Not Enjoy His Bitter Rival’s Misery At UFC 311!

Israel Adesanya Puts His Two Words In For UFC 313 Main Event Fight

At the media day of UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov, Israel Adesanya was asked about Alex Pereira’s upcoming title defense against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. ‘The Last Stylebender’ kept it surprisingly simple and respectful. He just said two words.

“Poatan, Chama”

Chama refers to Alex Pereira’s signature catchphrase. While this can be used in many ways, it’s literal meaning is “Lets Go.” This response from Adesanya is quite a change from their heated exchanges in the past, like when Adesanya once joked about having Pereira’s face on his bathroom dartboard.

But maybe that’s what happens when you have shared the ring with someone four times; respect grows even between the fiercest rivals. The Brazilian has shown his willingness time and again to train with Israel Adesanya. The former champion, for his part also recognizes how Alex Pereira made him into what he is today, despite the losses and all.

Seperate Paths But Same Goals

Pereira has been on an absolute tear since moving up to light heavyweight. He has knocked out three contenders including Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka. His next challenge comes in the form of Ankalaev, a well rounded powerhouse with the Dagestani ground game behind him, riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak. The Russian fighter has shown he can hang with anyone, mixing precise striking with powerful wrestling.

While Pereira sits atop the light heavyweight mountain, Israel Adesanya is preparing for his first non-title fight in years against Nassourdine Imavov. The former middleweight king finds himself in unfamiliar territory. He is coming off two losses and fighting to stay relevant in the title picture. This fight will determine whether Izzy can still dance with the best of them.

The March 8 showdown between Pereira and Ankalaev will definitely draw attention from the entire MMA world, including Adesanya. And he knows better than most just how dangerous “Poatan” can be when those hands start flying!

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

Alex Pereira

Israel Adesanya

Magomed Ankalaev

Nassourdine Imavov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!