Few rivalries in MMA history have sparked as much fan attention as the one between Israel Adesanya and reigning light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira. From their kickboxing fights to their high-stakes bouts inside the UFC Octagon, both men have established legendary careers that will be remembered for years to come. However, by 2025, their paths surely have diverged. While ‘The Last Stylebender’ is following the path of Tony Ferguson by struggling to get rid of constant losses, Alex Pereira is still going strong as the reigning champion of his division.

To make matters more interesting, the now-former rivals also sat together to watch UFC 312 while promising to be training partners soon. So, it looks like the bad blood between the two is no longer there. But a question remains, who has the better legacy? While Adesanya ruled the middleweight division for years, Pereira’s success in numerous weight classes has solidified his status as one of the sport’s most dominant fighters today. To answer the question, we took the help of AI. So, who was chosen as the winner? Let’s find out.

A look at Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya’s legacy

Israel Adesanya’s reign as UFC middleweight champion was nothing short of phenomenal. ‘The Last Stylebender,’ a two-time champion, held the title for nearly three years in two separate runs, successfully defending it against some of the division’s biggest stars. ‘ Izzy’ defeated top fighters such as Robert Whittaker (twice), Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Yoel Romero, establishing himself as one of the fiercest strikers in MMA. He also became the one to finally knock out ‘Poatan’ at UFC 287 to reclaim the title. But despite his domination, Adesanya’s form dipped severely in 2024-2025. With four losses in his last five fights, it would prompt many to question his legacy. On the other hand, Alex Pereira has created a legacy that goes well beyond the middleweight division.

After defeating ‘The Last Stylebender’ to win the UFC Middleweight title in 2022, he soon dropped it to ‘Izzy’ in their rematch and advanced to the light heavyweight division and continued his dominance there. He earned the 205-pound title by defeating Jiri Procházka at UFC 295 and has defended it against top contenders, including Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. With knockout victories over top opponents in two categories, Alex Pereira has established himself as one of the most dangerous and successful MMA fighters in history. The Brazilian’s ability to transition between weight classes while maintaining power, precision, and effectiveness truly separates him from the rest of the fighters in the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

Who is the better fighter in 2025?

When it comes to pure skill and talent, each fighter has their own advantages. Israel Adesanya‘s striking IQ, defensive movement, and ability to control fights from a distance made him a nightmare for middleweights throughout his peak. However, Alex Pereira’s raw knockout power, aggression, and adaptability throughout weight classes have given him a distinct advantage. As of 2025, Pereira’s ability to dominate at 185 and 205 pounds, combined with historic victories against some of the sport’s strongest opponents, puts him ahead in the debate of who has the better legacy.

However, since both fighters are still active, their legacies are not yet complete. If Adesanya returns to championship form, or if ‘Poatan’ maintains his domination at light heavyweight (or even moves up to heavyweight), the conversation may flip once more. But for now, Alex Pereira is the more accomplished fighter between the two in 2025, with a much better legacy. What do you think? Do you agree with AI? Let us know in the comments.