Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya is boldly asserting credit for clearing the middleweight division by knocking out Alex Pereira in April.
Adesanya believes that fellow fighters should be grateful to him for sending Pereira out of the middleweight ranks.
As the anticipation builds for UFC 295 set to unfold on Sunday morning in New York City at Madison Square Garden, the main event features a clash for the vacant light heavyweight title between former titleholder Jiri Prochazka and the former middleweight king, Alex Pereira.
Adesanya, who recently secured his second UFC middleweight title with a second-round knockout of Pereira in their fourth encounter across MMA and kickboxing, sees Pereira’s move to light heavyweight as a saving grace for the 185-pound division.
In a statement on his YouTube channel, Adesanya declared, “These middleweights can get on their f***ing knees and thank me ’cause I got this man out of there.
If not, you would have to deal with him over and over and over again, all of you.”
Reflecting on his own loss to Sean Strickland, who now holds the middleweight strap, Adesanya acknowledged taking some time on the sidelines before his next move. He has also shared his endorsement for Prochazka in the upcoming title clash against Pereira.
Adesanya expressed excitement about the Prochazka vs. Pereira matchup, emphasizing their unorthodox fighting styles.
He particularly highlighted Pereira’s leg kicks and Jiri’s unique approach to owning space and throwing combinations.
“I’m going with Jiri. No (it doesn’t go the distance). Five rounds, I don’t think so.
Not with this one. Not at light heavyweight. It doesn’t go the distance,” Adesanya confidently predicted.
As UFC 295 approaches, Adesanya’s comments add an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative surrounding the middleweight division and the upcoming title showdown between Prochazka and Pereira.
