You just can’t tell Alex Pereira‘s story without including Israel Adesanya as a key component. Their rivalry, which some consider the most intriguing in MMA history, goes back to their kickboxing days, the intensity of which carried over to the realm of mixed martial arts. In the UFC, the duo have fought twice – both times at middleweight – and are one win apiece.

Except for a Conor McGregor-Khabib Nurmagoemdov rematch, a trilogy bout between ‘Poatan’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ could be the biggest fight to be made in the entire sport. But Pereira, after losing to the Nigerian-born Kiwi at their UFC 287 rematch, moved up to light heavyweight, and their trilogy seems dead on arrival. However, in a recent interview on Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s JAXXON podcast, the light heavyweight champion made some very interesting comments, starting with his reasons for moving up.

“Before I had already said two or three fights. When I was cutting weight, I said ‘So this is the last one, I don’t want any more, no’ There I won, I was excited, I’m not going to do one more and I did this [the rematch with Adesanya]… I didn’t want to rest. I saw that it was really damaging my body and I didn’t want it anymore,” Pereira said in his native Portuguese.

Indeed, many such as Joe Rogan marveled that Pereira could even make 185-pounds, and it wasn’t surprising to see him move up to 205 after being slept by ‘Izzy’. But after nearly two years’ break from middleweight, ‘Poatan’ has his weight under control and could well fight ‘Izzy’ at middleweight in the near future.

“Maybe today if it were for me to go down, that would not be easier but I would would feel better because I made a lot of cuts like that in a row and now I had a break. I always said that today I am lighter than when at middleweight,” Pereira added. However, there are a few issues that stand between their trilogy, even if both men agree to it.

What stands in the way of an Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya trilogy?

Alex Pereira had called out Israel Adesanya to light heavyweight for a trilogy after winning the 205-pound title at UFC 295. But that was not to be. ‘The Last Stylebender’, who had a very bad prior experience at 205, flatly refused, and it seemed like their trilogy was off the table, maybe for good.

After all, ‘Izzy’ wasn’t going to move up and ‘Poatan’ wasn’t going to move back down to put his body through another horrific weight cut. But now, with Pereira himself saying he could fight Adesanya at middleweight, meat seems to be back on the menu. And a trilogy fight in the near future makes very good sense for Pereira.

The Brazilian light heavyweight champ is set to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 312 in March. And if he beats the Dagestani, there isn’t really anyone in the 205-pound division who jumps out as the next title contender. This would be a perfect time for Pereira to move down and fight Adesanya, unless that Jon Jones matchup opens up.

But there is just one problem– Israel Adesanya isn’t the middleweight champion anymore. And an Adesanya-Pereira trilogy sans the title just doesn’t sound right. But then again, ‘Izzy’ is set to face Nassourdine Imavov this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. A win there could well secure him a title shot by early next year since there are a couple of contenders for reigning middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis to take care of.

And by the time, if Adesanya wins the title and is ready to fight again (maybe by mid-2026), a lot could have changed in both divisions. Despite Pereira’s desire, there is a lot that needs to go right for an Adesanya trilogy fight to take place. But hope, as they say, springs eternal. What do you think about Alex Pereira’s comments about a possible third fight with Israel Adesanya?