MIAMI – Alex Pereira is confident he’s just days away from making Israel Adesanya a thing of the past.
The UFC middleweight champion takes on Adesanya (23-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) in an immediate rematch in the main event of UFC 287, which takes place Saturday at Kaseya Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
Pereira (7-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) defeated Adesanya by fifth-round TKO in November at UFC 281. It was the third meeting in combat sports, with the Brazilian having defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing.
If victorious for a fourth time, Pereira thinks that’s the last he’ll see of Adesanya.
“I believe that me beating him this Saturday, I will never face him again,” Pereira told reporters, including MMA Junkie, through an interpreter during Wednesday’s UFC 287 media day.
When asked if he has Adesanya’s number, Pereira agreed and said he has the style and gameplan to best Adesanya every time.
“I do know how to beat him,” Pereira said. “I know how he fights. I know how he works, so I do know how to beat him.”
As far as what’s next, if victorious on Saturday. Pereira shut down rumors of a potential move to light heavyweight, at least in the near future.
“People say that I’m big, that I’m too heavy for the division, but in kickboxing, I fought one kilo, (I cut) two more pounds than I do now,” Pereira said. “Right now, I’m focused on making history and reigning as a champion in this division. Later down the road, my body will tell me when it’s time to move up.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 287.
