Pereira (left) and Adesanya (right)(image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

If the book has truly closed on Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira fighting, the latter says he’s open to training with his longtime, rival.

Since Pereira moved up to light heavyweight and began his title run, the decorated fighter has proposed a fifth bout with Adesanysa. Pereira defeated Adesanya twice when they were kickboxing professionally, and the two have traded wins in the UFC’s Octagon.

But, since Adesanya (24-3) finally ended his losing streak to Pereira last April, the star dropped the middleweight title to Sean Strickland. More recently, there’s been extensive speculation that Adesanya will fight the new middleweight champ, Dricus Du Plessis next.

Ahead of his title defence against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, Pereira (9-2) appeared on “The MMA Hour”. While discussing the possibility of fighting Adesanysa again, the champion said he’s open to training with “The Last Stylebender”, since he believes their fight series is likely over (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“Anything can happen,” Pereira said. “Maybe he and the organization have the interest [to book that fight again]. I’m here. But I think it’s over. I don’t know. I’d even train with him if I had the opportunity. He’s very experienced, he’s done what he’s done, and I’m also very experienced and have been doing many things. It’s two styles that have similar things, but many things different that could add a lot to our games.”

Adesanya moved up to light heavyweight back in 2021, but lost to now-former champ, Jan Blachowicz, by decision.

“Since I wanted to do this rubber match so much, Adesanya and I — and if he were to move up to light heavyweight, and maybe people said he had to fight once before fighting for my belt, I wouldn’t want that because there’s risk of him losing,” Pereira added. “How am I going to fight a guy that has lost? No, come straight [at me]. But he showed no interest, so I kind of let it go.”

UFC 300 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pereira stopped Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 in November to secure the vacant light heavyweight title.