Israel Adesanya has announced his decision regarding the upcoming UFC 303 fight between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. Despite his fierce rivalry with Pereira, Adesanya has chosen Prochazka as his pick to win. Adesanya’s prediction came as a surprise to many, especially in light of Pereira’s victory over Prochazka in the final fight at UFC 295 .
History of Adesanya and Perera
Adesanya and Perera have a story to tell. They face each other twice in kickboxing and twice in the UFC. Pereira won his first match at GLORY of Heroes 1 in China in 2016, a result Adesanya believes should go his way. Pereira won again in 2017 after winning in the third round. Their rivalry continued in the UFC, with Pereira defeating Adesanya at UFC 281 to win the middleweight title.
Acquisition Research
Adesanya thinks Prochazka has the upper hand in their upcoming fight. “Alex can also surprise her, and if Jiri takes her down, Alex can surprise her with some new s*** on the floor she’s been working on,” he said on YouTube. Adesanya emphasized the need for caution in Prochazka’s approach, pointing out how Pereira can pull off unexpected results.
Fans React to Adesanya’s Prediction
Adesanya’s prophecy has caused mixed reactions among its admirers. Some see it as an expression of his continued distaste for Pereira, while others understand his reasoning. One fan at X said, “He just happens to be in pain. Alex got everything Israel wanted and more in about half the time. He predicted that Jamal would defeat Alex as well. Adesanya is just the enemy at this point.”
“Dam Adesanya sadly walking out because of Alex,” wrote another fan. Another echoed this feeling by saying: “Make sure he gets hatred for his prophecy. I think Alex fights with magic. All his magic, etc. Alex uses his clan powers to fight.”
Supporting Adesanya’s Choice
Not all critics of Adesanya’s prophecy were followers. One justified his choice, saying, “Yes they are under the same management as the 5 fighters on the management roster Paul Hughes, Jiri, Max, Leon, Izzy so no brainer he pick Jiri.” This suggests that Adesanya’s pick may be influenced by professional relationships rather than personal bias.
Adesanya’s Current Position
Adesanya announced that he is taking a hiatus until 2027. After losing to Pereira, he moved up in weight class and is now the UFC lightweight champion. After his win at UFC 295, Pereira called out Adesanya, which may have contributed to Adesanya’s current situation. “She chooses Alex every time lol,” said one fan. “This is just an Alex hater rant,” another suggested, while another wrote, “lol this guy stays hating.”
Adesanya’s bold prediction and subsequent fan reactions add another layer to the already intense build-up to UFC 303. Fans are divided, with some backing Adesanya’s assessment while others see it as indicative of his ongoing rivalry with Pereira. With both fighters having a lot to prove, the fight between Pereira and Prochazka could be an interesting meeting. This fight is not only about winning but about settling scores and showing dominance inside the Octagon. The anticipation is palpable, and fans are eagerly waiting to see who emerges victorious in this high-stakes rematch.
