Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya (24-2-0) delivered one of the coldest knockouts in UFC history to snatch the middleweight title belt back from Alex “Poatan” Pereira (7-2-0).
Adesanya, 33, mocked Pereira while he was out cold, doing his “bow and arrow” celebration and messing with the Brazilian’s crying child.
During his postgame press conference, Adesanya admitted that his actions were “petty,” but that he had to get the last laugh after what Pereira’s son did to him years back during a kickboxing tournament.
“The first time [Pereira] knocked me out in Brazil, his son came into the ring, and then started to just lie dead next to me. And I’m like, ‘f—ing little a–hole, I’ll whoop your a– if your dad don’t do it for you.
“I looked for his kid and I pointed at him and I saw him and I’m like, ‘Hey, hey, hey.’ Just to remind him.”
Israel Adesanya got his revenge on Alex Pereira's son by playing dead after knocking his dad out at #UFC287 as a “reminder” for mocking him after a previous fight. Izzy said “I'm petty bro” 🤣😂
pic.twitter.com/sV3FPd1y4Q— No Jumper (@nojumper) April 9, 2023
Adesanya and Pereira have no hard feelings
When Adesanya put Pereira to sleep during the main event of UFC 287 at FTX Arena in Miami, he pointed at his opponent’s son and dropped to the mat as if he were lifeless, much like what the boy did to him years earlier.
Despite Adesanya’s antics after the KO, which are normal due to the adrenaline rushing through his body, Pereira had no hard feelings.
The two fighters met backstage after the fight and gave each other their flowers. Adesanya made sure to tell Pereira that he was still a champion no matter the result.
It’s unclear if Pereira knew then what Adesanya did to his son while he was passed out, but these two fighters have a long history that extends beyond the UFC, so it’s unlikely Poatan will lose any respect for Stylebender.
