Israel Adesanya, the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, has made headlines once again following his recent victory over Yoel Romero at UFC 287. But it wasn’t just his win that caught the attention of fans and critics alike – it was his post-fight celebration aimed at fellow fighter Alex Pereira’s young son. In this article, we delve into the details behind Adesanya’s controversial move and explore what it means for the sport and its athletes.
Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, defeated Alex Pereira in their UFC 287 middleweight championship rematch through a second-round knockout. The match was their fourth combat sports meeting, with Pereira still leading 3-0 in their series. However, Adesanya managed to crush him with a knockout at the event. Prior to their UFC rematch, Pereira defeated Adesanya twice in the kickboxing ring and once at UFC 281 last November. Adesanya always kept the receipts and returned the favor to Pereira’s son after his post-fight celebration. When Pereira defeated Adesanya back in 2017, Pereira’s son mocked Adesanya by lying down next to him. Therefore, after defeating Pereira, Adesanya imitated Pereira’s famed archery skills and then performed an exaggerated flop to the mat. Adesanya explained that he did so to remind the son of what he had done.
Adesanya is known for his theatrics both pre- and post-fight, and he has a history of dramatic and memorable entrances. He referenced his history when asked about his post-fight celebration, saying that he is just returning the favor. Adesanya has a love for anime and is known for saying (jokingly) that Pereira’s son can crawl and brawl if he wants. UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad was present at UFC 287, and he managed to capture a different angle of Adesanya’s post-fight celebration, which he posted on his Twitter handle. Overall, Adesanya’s victory was a significant moment both for him and his opponent Pereira. Adesanya acknowledged how great Pereira’s story is and how he had been the antagonist of his journey, but that night was all about Adesanya’s story of history.
In conclusion, Israel Adesanya’s explanation of his UFC 287 celebration aimed at Alex Pereira’s son sheds new light on the intensity of rivalry in the world of MMA. While some may view it as petty, Adesanya’s actions were clearly driven by a deep-seated desire to get under his opponent’s skin and gain an advantage in their upcoming rematch. As with any sport, emotions run high in MMA, and Adesanya’s actions remind us that even the most talented fighters can be vulnerable to psychological gamesmanship. Ultimately, it is up to the fans to decide whether Adesanya’s celebration was justified or not, but one thing is clear: the upcoming rematch between Adesanya and Pereira promises to be one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year.
