When people talk about legendary combat sports rivalries, few match the raw drama, stakes, and cross-discipline history of Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya and Alex “Poatan” Pereira. These two warriors didn’t just meet once — they fought across two sports, multiple continents, and two weight divisions, each time with everything on the line.

Their story is about revenge, evolution, and the thin line that separates greatness from heartbreak.

The Kickboxing Chapter

Long before the UFC lights shone on them, Adesanya and Pereira first clashed in the world of Glory Kickboxing.

• First fight (2016) — They met in China, both relatively new on the international scene but with reputations rising fast. The fight was close. Adesanya showcased his signature slick movement, switching stances, slipping shots — but Pereira’s pressure and brutal leg kicks swayed the judges. Pereira won a controversial decision, handing Adesanya a rare loss.
• Second fight (2017) — The rematch was even bigger. This time, Pereira showed exactly why he’s called “Poatan” — “Hands of Stone.” Despite Adesanya’s elusive style, Pereira found his moment in the third round and landed a devastating left hook, knocking Adesanya out cold. It remains the only time Adesanya has ever been knocked out in combat sports — and it cemented Pereira’s reputation as the Stylebender’s nemesis.

The UFC Chapter

Years passed. Adesanya left kickboxing, joined the UFC, and quickly became one of the most exciting champions in MMA. His striking was so far ahead of the competition that many wondered if he would ever find an equal on the feet.

Meanwhile, Pereira continued to terrorize the kickboxing world — becoming a two-division Glory champion — before making the switch to MMA, with only one goal in mind: find Adesanya again.

When Pereira signed with the UFC in 2021, the storyline wrote itself. The man who knocked out the king was coming for his crown in a new sport.

UFC 281: The Trilogy Fight

On November 12, 2022, at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden, the rivalry reached its boiling point. Adesanya, the middleweight champion, defended his title against the only man who’d truly haunted him — Alex Pereira, in just his eighth pro MMA fight.

From the first bell, Adesanya fought brilliantly. He mixed his elite striking with clever wrestling and clinch work, winning rounds and staying clear of Pereira’s power. At the end of round one, Adesanya landed a right hand that nearly finished Pereira — but time saved the challenger.

Round by round, Adesanya chipped away, landing calf kicks and precise jabs. Going into round five, he was ahead on all scorecards.

But Poatan only needs one shot.

Midway through the final round, Pereira trapped Adesanya against the cage and unleashed a savage flurry. Hooks and uppercuts slipped through Adesanya’s defense. He staggered. The referee stepped in.

Alex Pereira had done it again.

UFC 287: The Revenge

The story didn’t end there. A true rivalry demands a sequel — or in this case, a fourth chapter.

At UFC 287, just five months later, Adesanya got his shot at redemption. This time, he fought with fire in his eyes. He invited Pereira’s pressure — then countered it.

In round two, Pereira pressed Adesanya to the fence, just like before. But this time, Adesanya baited him in and landed a thunderous right hand, then another — knocking Pereira out cold. The arena erupted.

After seven years, two sports, and four fights, Adesanya finally closed the circle, reclaiming his belt — and silencing his ghost.

What This Rivalry Means

Adesanya vs Pereira is more than two fights — it’s a saga:

• It’s about growth. Adesanya evolved from a pure striker to a complete MMA fighter — mastering clinch work, wrestling, and fight IQ to finally overcome his toughest opponent.
• It’s about grit. Pereira stepped into his rival’s world — a world with takedowns and ground work — just to prove he could beat him there too.
• It’s about legacy. Their fights gave us one of the most compelling arcs in modern combat sports — a testament to the mental strength it takes to come back from defeat.

For fight fans, this rivalry will live forever. From the knockout in Glory to the wars in the UFC, it’s proof that combat sports are as much about the mind and heart as they are about fists and feet.

Where Do They Go Next?

With Pereira moving up to light heavyweight and winning gold there too, and Adesanya still reigning near the top of middleweight, fans dream of a fifth fight — maybe even in a third weight class. If it happens, it’ll be one more chapter in a rivalry that feels straight out of a movie.

Until then, one thing is certain: whenever Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira step into the same cage, it’s not just a fight.

It’s history in the making.