Arch-rivals Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira are set for an epic showdown this Saturday at UFC 287, as they step into the octagon for their second outing in the UFC, marking their fourth fight in total in combat sports. For Adesanya, this is more than just another fight; it’s an opportunity to reclaim the UFC middleweight title from the Brazilian Pereira, who has outworked the New Zealander in all their past three fights.
Pereira has proven himself to be a formidable opponent, and he’s determined to make sure the outcome of this fight mirrors the ones before. Despite the challenge, the 33-year-old Adesanya remains confident heading into the bout on April 8. Recently, the 33-year-old fighter drew parallels between him going into this fight, being like Eminem from ‘8 Mile’. He cited the rapper while talking about his present mindset, but it didn’t really connect with the fans.
Israel Adesanya sees himself alike of Eminem from ‘8 Mile’
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This rematch is a make-or-break moment for Israel Adesanya, and he is ready to leave everything on the line. During a recent press conference, he reflected upon being 0-3 against Alex Pereira. But he sees it more as a calm before the storm moment for him as he compared the situation with Eminem in ‘8 Mile‘.
Adesanya said, “So, I’m down three[0-3 against Alex Pereira]… And this is my Eminem moment, my ‘8 Mile’ moment. ‘You got one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime’. And this is it. This is it for me.”
Israel Adesanya feels being "down three" fights against Alex Pereira has provided his "'8 Mile' moment" 🎤 #UFC287
"You get one shot. Do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime." pic.twitter.com/zoMaoD9liP
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) April 5, 2023
He further put forth the possibility of him turning the tables this time. And doing so in a rather spectacular fashion. “Imagine what if I get it done? What if I get it done better than he’s ever done it? What happens if I butcher him, and beat the f**k out of him? Because, I always do… We’ll find out. I do all this s**t and I beat his a** .”
Certainly interesting, the idea. However, it is invisible to UFC supporters. Noting in particular what the current tally between the two indicates.
Fans don’t find Adesanya’s comments convincing
Owing to the fact that Israel Adesanya is currently on a hat-trick of losses against Pereira, fight fans having a hard time taking his word at face value. They took to the comment section to offer their honest thoughts on the situation, expressing their doubts and concerns about his upcoming fight.
Check out how the fans reacted to Adesanya’s comments:
This fan feels the New Zealander revealed way too much there:
Sounds like Izzy is goin to go for tha takedown. He slipped up on that game plan.
— LoRd NaGy (@LoRd_NaGy) April 5, 2023
Wherein this fan doesn’t see any different outcome this time around, too:
I think Pereira just has his number! My feeling is that it will be 0-4 at the end of the day. Maybe I am wrong. Plus always bet on the bigger man; Pereira looked like a HW when he showed up for the last fight.
— DTSA (@DTSA2428) April 6, 2023
Seems like Adesanya’s bravado isn’t a cup of tea for everyone:
God he is terrible on the microphone
— ChampCha (@ChampChaz02) April 5, 2023
A rather bold prediction here by this user on Israel Adesanya’s future after this rematch:
@AlexPereiraUFC putting Izzy back to the prelims
— Jake Graham (@jakelgraham) April 5, 2023
This user made a correction there on Adesanya’s words, and a little bluntly:
But this is your 4th shot not your first…. 🤡
— Andre Eazy 🇭🇹 (@TheMacNameDre) April 6, 2023
Adesanya’s image changed drastically for this fan:
Crazy how this dude went from being the coolest personality in all of sports to the cringe and zest capitol of the world
— Mbappé Spurs (15-5-9) (@mbappe_spurs) April 5, 2023
A key difference between Adesanya and Pereira, as noted by this user:
Am not an Izzy hater but he takes himself too seriously sometimes thats why it comes off cringe, Alex is much more grounded thats why people like him
— Mo99MdThePdesTroyer (@MHMD90RC) April 6, 2023
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Got a question there, and a big one in fact:
Genuine question, if he lost this many times… what really does 1 win again Alex mean?
— SinfulW0es (@SinfulW0es) April 6, 2023
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Israel Adesanya will have to back up his words with a strong performance in the octagon if he hopes to win back the support of his fans. Do you think he will be able to defeat Alex Pereira this time around? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Watch this story: The Saga of Bad Blood Between Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya