Israel Adesanya (image via UFC/YouTube).

By FCF Staff

Alex Pereira took his first step on Saturday in his path to a UFC title shot, and it sounds like Israel Adesanya is hoping to face his former opponent again.

The decorated kickboxer and former GLORY champ took on Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268, in what was Pereira’s Octagon debut. The feared striker finished the fight in round two with a flying knee and follow-up punches.

Since Pereira (4-1 MMA) has recorded two wins over Adesanya in the kickboxing ring, one of which was via knockout, there’s been extensive talk about the possibility of him fighting the middleweight champ. While watching and reviewing Pereira’s UFC debut via Adesanya’s YouTube channel, the star made it clear he’s looking forward to a third fight (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“We talked about this like two days ago,” Adesanya said. “We need something new. Especially after you lap the division again. … Good job Pereira, that was nice. 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 anymore. It’s different now. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Up next, Adesanya (21-1) is expected to fight former champion Robert Whittaker for a second time at UFC 271, February 12. Adesanya stopped Whittaker in the second round of their 2019 fight.