Israel Adesanya

Former dominant UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has broken down the upcoming bout between flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg.

The Brazilian and the Australian will fight in the main event of the UFC 301 show, which takes place on the night of May 5 in Rio de Janeiro.

"I didn't even know Erceg was Australian. The fight with Pantoja is going to be incredibly difficult for him. I really want Steve to win because it would be a cool story. Fourth fight in the UFC, he's being offered a title shot, and he's like, "Who, me!" I really hope Steve gets his way.

But don't underestimate Pantoja. He breaks people down, and that's hard, especially when it comes to guys like Moreno. I haven't watched Steve enough to bet on him, but I've had the opportunity to see Pantoja fight, and I know his ability. My official choice is Alesandre," Bloody Elbow quoted Israel as saying.

Manel Kape, a fighter in the UFC's lightweight division, said in a recent interview that he would beat former promotion middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a street fight. According to Kape, he has beaten guys on the street many times who were bigger than him.

"I'm not beatable on the streets. I don't care, I've beaten a lot of guys bigger than me. Size doesn't matter. Put Adesanya in front of me on the street and see where it ends," MiddleEasy quoted Kape as saying.

Manel Kape is currently on a streak of four straight wins. Two fights out of the four he has won by knockouts.

As for Adesanya, he lost a unanimous decision to Sean Strickland in his last fight.

Alex Pereira, the current UFC bantamweight champion, revealed where he excels over his former opponent, former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

"Honestly, I don't know, man. You have to see the criteria they use. Adesanya has made a few title defenses, but I haven't been able to make any middleweight defenses. However, there are things I have done: I was able to become a two-time champion. Izzy made attempts to become a two-time champion, but he couldn't. It doesn't bother me because it doesn't matter what classification you are given. What matters is what you do and inspiring people. And I think I am very good at it," Pereira said in an interview with Brazilian journalist Lavierte Viena.

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has spoken respectfully about Alex Pereira, the holder of the belt in the category above, and recalled his last fight with him, which took place last April.

"Alex is a special fighter and person. I will always respect him for what he has done in our game, in fights and also in his life. I'm grateful for those moments because they taught me a lot. It's the same with the fight against Kelvin Gastellum. He made me realize what can be achieved. That time I was ready to die, but this time I just knew, "No way in hell, this guy's not going to win, I swear to God, then I'm going to die."

Our fourth fight with Alex was a beauty. Then I had the realization, "Israel, there are levels here. You can go further," - quotes Adesanya MMA Fighting.

Recall that Adesanya and Pereira had four fights. Yes fights in kickboxing remained for the Brazilian, and in MMA they have an equal score - 1-1.

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya explained why he is not eager to hold another fight with the current titleholder Alex Pereira.

Recall, previously the Brazilian and the Nigerian crossed paths four times: two fights in kickboxing remained for Pereira, and in MMA the score is equal - 1:1.

"I know I only have a few fights left in my career. So imagine if I beat Pereira again, what are they going to say? That the score is 3-2 in his favor, let's make the series to four wins. Why would I do that?

You can see why he wants me back. He needs a fight with me. You know why I didn't call him out? Because I don't need to. Deep down inside they know I feel better than them in this situation, I sit back and enjoy myself. I did what I had to do, the saga is over. I have other opponents I would like to get revenge on later," Adesanya said on The MMA Hour show.