After burying the ghosts of the past, UFC star Israel Adesanya finally settled the score with his rival Alex Pereira at UFC 287. Executing a perfect game plan of playing possum, the New Zealander caught ‘Poatan’ with a thunderous blow as he lay unconscious on the canvas. As expected, the speculations of a trilogy fight in the UFC gained traction immediately after the fight concluded. However, the fans might have seen the last of their intense rivalry, as UFC president Dana White hinted. Amidst this disarray, ‘The Last Stylebender’ finally answered the pertinent question of why the Brazilian fighter was fast-tracked and awarded a title shot initially.

When the announcement of the former Glory champion as the next in line was made, it raised some eyebrows. In addition, his nascent record in the UFC didn’t guarantee him a title shot. Therefore, the fans couldn’t wrap their heads around the development. But the Kiwi fighter simply agreed to it because he sought a challenge.

Israel Adesanya sought a challenge after clearing up the division

The 33-year-old fighter admitted in the post-fight press conference that he accepted Pereira as a challenger because there was no one else. After racking 5 title defenses, he wanted a new challenge, and that’s how Pereira fitted in. Also, it offered him a chance at retribution.

Thus, he disclosed, “Look I gave him a fast track to the Belt, you know. I could have said, nah, f*ck no. Who was he fought? Like he fought one top five? Nah. But you know he did well. Fought some all-right guys and beat f*cking Strickland.”

“I was like, okay, fine. There’s no one else. Boss, I was looking for that challenge. The guy that beat me in kickboxing. I was looking for that challenge. That’s why I took that fight,” he added later on.

But, the City Kickboxing product found himself on the receiving end of a brutal knockout while he controlled the fight at UFC 281. Following this, he informed the media he got an immediate rematch because of the resounding resume he amassed in the UFC.

Adesanya did hard yards in UFC and earned an immediate rematch

Speaking to the media, the Kiwi fighter ran off his credentials. He reminded them how he won the belt against Robert Whittaker and defended it against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Whittaker again, and Jared Cannonier.

Thus, he said, “Seven. My other belt will have seven gems on it, you know. So I did the hard yards, and I earned my rematch.”

In the aftermath of 287, Pereira might move up a division, as his mentor Glover Teixeira put before the public his ambitions. On the other hand, Adesanya again seeks a new challenger after closing the chapter on his rivalry with Pereira.

Read More: “He Will Learn That He Cannot Take the Risk” – UFC Legend Daniel Cormier Explains What Alex Pereira Should Take Away From Israel Adesanya Rematch

What do you think of these statements by UFC champion Israel Adesanya? Do you believe Alex Pereira deserved the title shot in the first place? Let us know in the comments below.

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