MMA
This is how Israel Adesanya responded to being called out by new UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira
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Alex Pereira had just become the new light heavyweight champion with a rousing second-round TKO of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 late Saturday night in New York City.
While speaking with Joe Rogan, the newly-crowned two-weight world champ didn't hesitate extending an invite up to light heavyweight toward a certain rival.
"Adesanya, come to daddy!" a victorious Pereira said, calling Israel Adesanya out.
Adesanya is game for the challenge, taking to his X account and responding while mocking the Brazilian in the process.
Exactly a year ago from the same famed Madison Square Garden as UFC 295, Pereira defeated Adesanya via an electric fifth-round TKO to become the new middleweight world champion.
Then, this past April, Adesanya exacted revenge with a stinging second-round KO of Pereira to win the title back. The carnage of Pereira being laid out in the aftermath of that fight is what Adesanya handpicked in his X response image.
Adesanya lost the middleweight strap to Sean Strickland by unanimous decision in September. And by the sound of his response to Pereira, Adesanya might be done with the middleweight division for good.
Altogether, Pereira holds a 3-1 edge over Adesanya as he also defeated "The Last Stylebender" twice in their pro kickboxing days.
Pereira calling Adesanya out seemed to draw the ire of former light heavyweight champ Jamahal Hill, who had to relinquish the title due to injury.
Hill was in attendance at MSG on Saturday night and though Pereira had Adesanya on his mind, the new champ is open to clashing with Hill in the near future.
