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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Danny Segura

Israel Adesanya takes credit for Alex Pereira’s success in MMA: ‘Without me, he wouldn’t be here’

Israel Adesanya thinks he’s done a lot for the career of his upcoming opponent, Alex Pereira.

The UFC middleweight champion believes he’s partly responsible for Pereira’s quick rise to success in MMA, specifically the UFC. Adesanya (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC), who has two losses against Pereira (6-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the kickboxing world – once by KO and the other by decision, fights the Brazilian once again. However, this time it will be MMA, Saturday in the main event of UFC 281 in New York. It’s Adesanya’s sixth defense of his UFC middleweight belt.

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