The rivalry between middleweight champ Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya has been one of the biggest talking points of the sport in recent times. And as we head into an exciting UFC 287 main event where both these fighters square up yet again, the tension between the two has already started brewing.

After a clip of Pereira seemingly mocking the former champ went viral, Adesanya came out in response, firing back at the Brazilian. Despite the initial issue appearing quite trivial in itself, Stylebender’s response clearly displays his desperation to get back at his nemesis following his last loss. Lashing out at Pereira, he took a jibe at the Brazilian’s face paint which he had appeared with during their last weigh-ins.

Israel Adesanya responds to Alex Pereira mocking him

It all started with the video clip of ‘Poatan’ reacting to Adesanya’s video. What seemed to have triggered Adesanya was the Brazilians’ reaction when the camera panned to his collection of stuffed toys. As if questioning the former champ’s choices, Pereira had raised his hands and wondered what exactly those toys were.

As he recalled the exact moment during an appearance on “The Rock”, he pointed out Pereira’s face paint and his tribal rituals, which were a part of his walkout.

“Like this one reaction he gave, like they pan to like some stuffed animals where and he goes ah !

“He then continues, “And for me, I’m like who the f**k do you think you are like that? I don’t look at him and go why you wearing that f****g  face paint and crying on the ground like you’re a tiger. I don’t care that’s what you want to do, that’s what gives you power.” 

This aggression that the 33-year-old displayed here could also easily translate into a much better fight for him come UFC 287

Adesanya exuding confidence ahead of crucial rematch

Despite the KO that he suffered last time out, Stylebender understands that he has the skills to clinch a crucial victory and shut down the doubts cast on his abilities.

And the importance of the fight is also not also on him. Expressing his confidence, he claimed that Pereira would eventually see his skills on fight night.

“This is some Last Dance sh*t.  I like holding on to things like that and I’m just like right I’ll note that but he’ll find out later on. He’ll find out later on,” he stated.

Since we are just weeks away from UFC 287, this statement from Adesanya could serve as a much-needed push for the hype around the card to finally take off.

Read More: “Now Alex Pereira Will Meet Dwayne Johnson” – UFC Fans Troll Israel Adesanya as He Links Up With ‘OG Hasbulla’ Kevin Hart

How do you think the fight goes down? Let us know in the comment section below.

Watch This Story: “He Been Working With Glover & GSP” – UFC Fans React as Alex Pereira Fails to Beat Joe Rogan’s Hardest Kick Record