Israel Adesanya wants revenge mission against Alex Pereira in his next four fights after UFC 268 win

Israel Adesanya is already plotting a revenge mission against Alex Pereira, after the only man to knock him out made a blistering start to life in the UFC on Saturday. 

Pereira hold two wins against Adesanya in kickboxing and remains the only man to KO the supremely talented New Zealander in their kickboxing days. 

At UFC 268, Pereira made his debut for the organisation and delivered in style with a jumping knee knockout win over Andreas Michailidis. 

Alex Pereira (right) won in his UFC debut with a jumping knee against Andreas Michailidis

Pereira is the only man to have knocked out Israel Adesanya in a kickboxing match

Adesanya would like to face Pereira in the next four fights if the Brazilian proves himself

Middleweight champion Adesanya was impressed but not surprised by what he saw from his old foe and is hopeful that Pereira can continue developing in the octagon to set up a fight with him. 

On the 32-year-old’s YouTube channel, he said: ‘It’s pretty much like me and (Derek) Brunson – he’s trying to find a way (to take him down) cause he’s scared of the striking.

‘Cause you know he’s going to shoot, well-timed knee just straight up. Bang. There it is. I thought he was going to do it when he shot in, but I didn’t think he was going to fly at him.

‘We talked about this like two days ago. We need something new. Especially after you lap the division again. … Good job Pereira, that was nice. 

Pereira is inexperienced in MMA and has much to learn to transition into the sport 

‘One thing I notice is everyone always holds on to that win he has over me like it’s the be all end all. I hope he does well. I hope he does well through the ranks. In the next four fights, I hope to see him. 

‘They’ll show you the knockout, but they won’t show you what happened before the finish. I hurt him, but I only throw (hands) because I was infiltrated by other people’s thoughts. 

‘But that was when I was younger. Not any more. It’s different now. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’

Pereira, 34, defeated Adesanya for the first time in 2016 by decision before being knocked out in the rematch a year later by a left hook. 

The middleweight champion has been sensational since making his UFC debut in 2018

That was the last time Adesanya professionally fought in kickboxing and he made his UFC debut in 2018 before embarking on a rapid rise to the top. 

He reigns supreme in the middleweight division and his only loss was against Jan Blachowicz when attempting to move up and win a belt in the light-heavyweight division. 

No doubt fans will be following Pereira’s journey closely and it will be fascinating to see who the UFC give him next.