Israel Adesanya Predicts Alex Pereira Will ‘Fold’ In Their UFC 281 Bout

At UFC 281, Israel Adesanya doesn’t believe Alex Pereira will be able to hold his own against him.

The main event of UFC 281 will feature Adesanya defending his middleweight belt against Pereira.

The two had previously battled in kickboxing twice, with Pereira winning both matches by decision and knockout. Adesanya thinks it’s a very different battle in MMA, and he intends to change the course of history at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

“There’s a little extra motivation, definitely,” Adesanya said to The All Star. “Now that it’s here, I didn’t ask for it, the universe bestowed this upon me, and it’s a great opportunity to rewrite history.”

Adesanya is certain that once he can begin outrunning Pereira, he will finally catch the Brazilian and successfully defend his title.

“I honestly think within the first five minutes, within the first round, even within the first three minutes, with the pace we’re gonna (bring), I think it’s gonna be a high pace. He’s not gonna be able to keep that high pace,” Adesanya said.

“In the first round, you’re gonna see him start to fold, he’s not gonna be able to keep that high pace. I know the kinda pace I can (bring). He’s not gonna last. If this fight has to go, each round, until someone falls, trust me, I know who’s gonna stand. I know who’s gonna be left standing.”

Adesanya is making his sixth championship defense after defeating Jared Cannonier through the decision.

He has important victories against Marvin Vettori twice, Anderson Silva, Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker during his time in the UFC.