Israel Adesanya doesn't think Alex Pereira will be able to cope with the pace he brings for their upcoming UFC title fight.
Middleweight champion Adesanya, 33, looks to make the sixth defence of his belt next weekend against former kickboxing rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281. 'The Last Stylebender' has already been beaten twice by Pereira in kickboxing, losing a controversial decision to the Brazilian in 2017 before being brutally knocked out by him in their rematch the following year.
Pereira, 35, is challenging for a UFC title after just three fights in the promotion, knocking out Sean Strickland on the undercard of Adesanya's last title defence to set up a trilogy fight with the champion. Adesanya predicts his rival will struggle just minutes into their fight because of the intense pace he will bring.
