The UFC’s middleweight division seems to be in a rut as titleholder Israel Adesanya has defeated many of the top contenders. Jared Cannonier is one fighter who is still left to fight Adesanya. While both the fighters will soon face each other in the Octagon, it would be interesting to see if ‘Izzy’ can retain his title once again. Despite what will be seen as a clear-out of top contenders if ‘The Last Stylebender’ wins at UFC 276, a fellow UFC champion has a name in mind for the Adesanya.

UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira spoke to Ariel Helwani and claimed his teammate (Alex Pereira) will be ready to face the champion.

Teixeira said, “It’s nothing, taking nothing away from jury, you know. I mean, far from Adesanya, you know. But I think Alex is getting ready for the sign when the first fight in UFC, you know.”

“I knew he was gonna climb the ladder. I already know because the style, style make fights, you know. And Alex getting better and better and better man. The guy is, the IQ, fighting IQ is so high… He’s so smart. You don’t understand this guy is a genius when it comes to fight man.”

5 Things We Didn’t Know About Israel Adesanya

Pereira already has an upcoming fight against Sean Strickland, who is currently ranked at number four in the division. So it is a big fight for him. Thus, if the unranked middleweight manages to defeat ‘Tarzan’, a title fight would be closer than ever.

Israel Adesanya versus Alex Pereira: Is it a good fight?

If the Brazilian fighter manages to have his arm raised in his next fight, seeing him against the champion would indeed be interesting. Given the fact that both are great kickboxers, it would be an interesting bout to witness. However, Pereira (5-1-0) is just two fights into the UFC and hasn’t faced the best of the division yet.

Israel Adesanya, a technical and gifted striker, has faced some of the best middleweight mixed martial artists in the octagon. Hence, in this setting, he will be at an advantage even against someone who holds two kickboxing victories over him.

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The kickboxing results will no doubt play a factor. Hence, it would be an interesting contest should the stars align.

Watch this story: Israel Adesanya: Top 5 Best Finishes of His MMA Career

Watching Pereira face Strickland would give viewers more insights into how he would perhaps do against ‘The Last Stylebender’. Do you think Alex Pereira is ready to face Adesanya? What do you make of Glover Teixeira’s claims? Let us know in the comments below.