We’ve heard plenty of friends-to-lovers stories, but nothing beats the classic enemies-to-friends arc—especially in the fight game. The UFC has seen its fair share of heated rivalries evolve into mutual respect, from Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz to Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva. Now, another unexpected duo joins that list: Israel Adesanya and his longtime adversary, Alex Pereira.

The two warriors have shared an intense rivalry, facing off twice inside the UFC Octagon. Pereira claimed victory at UFC 281, only for Adesanya to even the score with a stunning knockout at UFC 287.

Their battles, spanning both kickboxing and MMA, were filled with highlight-reel moments, personal tension, and championship stakes. Yet, in a surprising twist, it appears that Adesanya and Pereira have reconciled—but not before Izzy called out Pereira for ‘chasing’ him into the UFC.

In a now-viral Instagram video, Adesanya shared his perspective on their rivalry, saying, “I say the same thing I said, look, we had a good fight—fair game, boom, easy—then I let it go. He chased me. Because after he knocked me out in Brazil, I was like, ‘Cool, game. He beat me, that’s it.’ But when he chased me, then I was like, ‘Fu—, fine.’ But now, here we are. I can let it go.”

Adesanya has been on a reconciliation spree lately, making amends with former rivals like Robert Whittaker and Alex Pereira. Reflecting on his shift in mindset, Adesanya shared his perspective during an appearance at UFC 312: “With all these guys, what’s hating Alex or hating Rob or anyone else do for me?” he said. “It doesn’t serve me at all. It’s just poisoning me. I’m holding onto hate in my heart for someone who’s moved on. So why would I do that? I’m not that kind of person. I’m just a chill guy.”

It’s a full-circle moment for the former middleweight champion. Despite recent setbacks—including losses in his last few fights and a non-PPV matchup against Nassourdine Imavov—Israel Adesanya’s legacy remains firmly intact. Between 2019 and 2023, he defended his title five times and delivered one of the most iconic moments in UFC history by knocking out Alex Pereira to reclaim the 185-pound belt.

While some fighters let losses break them, Izzy only seems to grow more determined. His hunger for success remains stronger than ever, and he’s even issued a promise to Pereira.

Israel Adesanya hopes to train with Alex Pereira

While sitting beside ‘Poatan’ and his coach/translator Plinio Cruz at UFC 312, Israel Adesanya made an unexpected declaration: “I will, I will come with you guys!” he said. “When we fought, it was a carnival. After we fought, we went to the mountain, and we had some really good Brazilian barbecue. We’ll go to Brazil! I also wanna go where his people are,” he added, pointing to Alex Pereira. “The tribes.”

Adesanya’s curiosity stems from his deep appreciation for diverse cultures, a passion that aligns with his roots in Africa. His love for travel is well documented—most recently, he visited the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi following the Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin fight. Cruz reminded him that Pereira is a proud member of one of fifteen Indigenous groups residing along Brazil’s Xingu River. His tribe, the Xingu people, follow sacred rites, ceremonies, and traditions that shape their way of life.

Given Adesanya’s current struggles inside the Octagon, his desire to visit such a spiritual place could be more than just cultural exploration—it might be a journey of self-discovery. What do you think about this unexpected friendship? Let us know in the comments below!