Alex Pereira, the former two-division UFC champion, has sent a powerful message of support to his former rival, Israel Adesanya, as Adesanya prepares for his highly anticipated return at UFC Seattle.
Israel Adesanya, once the undisputed UFC middleweight king, is set to make his comeback to the octagon this Saturday at UFC Seattle, where he will face Joe Pyfer. This upcoming bout marks Adesanya’s attempt to secure his first victory in three years, following a challenging streak of three consecutive losses. His last appearance in the cage resulted in a TKO defeat against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia in February 2025.
Notably, Adesanya’s most recent triumph was against none other than Alex Pereira, who then held the middleweight championship. Their storied rivalry spans back to their professional kickboxing days. After enduring three combined losses to Pereira across both kickboxing and mixed martial arts, Adesanya spectacularly avenged himself with a stunning knockout at UFC 287, a moment that remains one of the most shocking finishes in UFC history.
Although their past was marked by intense hostility, both UFC superstars have since moved beyond their rivalry, famously sharing a cordial moment at UFC 312 last year that quickly went viral. Now, with UFC Seattle on the horizon, Pereira has extended a heartfelt and motivational message to Adesanya, aiming to inspire him to break his current losing streak.
Alex Pereira’s Message to Israel Adesanya: “Go Show Your Best”
In a recent Instagram post, Pereira conveyed a respectful and encouraging message to Adesanya ahead of his pivotal fight:
“Saturday is fight night once again. Much respect to Israel Adesanya — we’ve shared the octagon and moments that became part of my journey. That loss taught me a lot; it pushed me to evolve not only as a fighter, but as a man. I grew, matured, and used it as fuel to reach a higher level in the sport and in life.
“Regardless of rivalry, I know what it means to step in there — the years of work, the pressure, the sacrifice. That’s why I wish you a great fight. Go in focused and show your best.
“We keep evolving. See you at the top CHAMA.”
Meanwhile, Pereira himself is set to make history this summer at UFC Freedom 250, where he will challenge Ciryl Gane in his heavyweight debut, aiming to become the UFC’s first-ever three-division champion. Their bout will be for the interim heavyweight title, as the undisputed champion, Tom Aspinall, continues his recovery from multiple eye injuries.
In the interim, Pereira will undoubtedly be closely watching UFC Seattle this weekend, seemingly holding a strong interest in Adesanya’s performance during his crucial comeback fight.
