Israel Adesanya names opponent he thinks old rival Alex Pereira should fight next

Key Takeaways:

• Israel Adesanya recommends Alex Pereira remain at light heavyweight
• Pereira recently regained the 205lb title and eyeing a move to heavyweight
• The two fighters share a well-known rivalry in mixed martial arts
• Adesanya stresses the need to defend titles before changing weight classes

The Rivalry

Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have woven one of MMA’s most talked-about timelines. Their fights across multiple weight classes and organizations established a rivalry that continues to capture fan interest. With the nickname “Poatan,” Pereira has been a frequent foil for Adesanya, whose career has soared in parallel.

Pereira’s New Status

On Saturday night, Pereira reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight belt at 205lb. His achievement immediately stirred conversation about how best to cement, or even surpass, his legacy. Despite the hype surrounding his success, voices within the sport—including that of his longtime adversary—are questioning his next steps.

Eyeing Heavyweight

Shortly after regaining the 205lb title, Pereira floated the idea of moving up yet another tier to the heavyweight division. It’s a bold move, one that could see him challenging bigger, stronger athletes in an entirely different realm of competition. This has drawn both excitement and skepticism from fans, fighters, and analysts, who wonder if “Poatan” should bide his time at his new weight instead.

Adesanya’s Perspective

According to the original news feed, Israel Adesanya believes Alex Pereira “should stay at light heavyweight and defend his title.” In Adesanya’s view, a quick jump to heavyweight might be premature—both for Pereira’s own development and for the legitimacy of the 205lb championship. While Adesanya’s opinion is hardly neutral—given their longstanding rivalry—his stance reflects a belief that championship belts should be consolidated through defenses before champions seek challenges in other divisions.

Potential Next Steps

Whether Alex Pereira opts to heed Adesanya’s advice remains in question. If he focuses on defending the title, it could lead to marquee matchups and potentially elevate the status of the light heavyweight division. However, if he decides to move to heavyweight, fans may witness historic bouts that align with “Poatan’s” ambition to conquer multiple weight classes. Either choice will be a pivotal point in Pereira’s career—and in the ongoing conversation about how champions cement their legacy.