UFC middleweight Chris Curtis recently shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated matchup between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira, which is set for UFC 287. The two fighters have a storied history, having faced each other a total of three times – twice in kickboxing and once in the UFC. However, Adesanya has yet to secure a win against Pereira.
Chris Curtis on the rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira
In an exclusive interview with Andrew Whitelaw of Sportskeeda MMA, Curtis expressed his sympathy for Adesanya, despite not being a fan. He referred to Pereira as Adesanya’s personal “boogeyman” who has followed him across two sports. The UFC fighter emphasized that Adesanya needs to win this upcoming fight, as it is a matter of “life or death” for him.
Adesanya and Pereira are set to lock horns later this weekend, with the former UFC middleweight champion looking to regain his title. The match will certainly be a high-pressure event for Adesanya, who will be entering the octagon as a challenger for the first time in nearly five years.
Israel Adesanya confident about upcoming fight
Despite the stakes, Israel Adesanya appears to be brimming with confidence ahead of his rematch with Pereira at UFC 287. During the media day for the event, the former champion expressed his belief in his ability to defeat his rival. Adesanya stated, “I know what works for me, I know how I could beat this guy. I know every time I fight this guy, I’m dominating him, I’m beating him and then he has this special ability to recover and put his foot on the gas, so I have to find a way to take him out of the driver’s seat, which I will.”
With both fighters determined to prove themselves in this high-stakes matchup, fans can look forward to an exciting and intense battle at UFC 287.
