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Few rivalries in MMA history have captured the imagination of fans quite like Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya's.
Their battles trace back to their kickboxing days, where Pereira twice bested Adesanya, setting the stage for their transition into the UFC.
Since then, they've faced off twice in the Octagon at middleweight, each securing a victory.
A third fight between these two could be one of the biggest bouts the UFC could book-second perhaps only to a Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch. However, Pereira's decision to move up to light heavyweight after losing to Adesanya at UFC 287 in 2023 seemed to put an end to that possibility.
Yet, in a recent interview, the Brazilian champion hinted that a trilogy might not be off the table just yet.
Pereira's move to Light Heavyweight and a possible return
Pereira's decision to leave the middleweight division was largely influenced by the brutal weight cuts he endured. Even UFC commentators like Joe Rogan marveled at how he managed to make 185 pounds in the first place. Following his knockout loss to Adesanya, he made the move to 205 pounds, where he quickly claimed the title.
Despite ruling out a return to middleweight, Pereira now suggests that after some time away, his body might handle the cut better than before. Speaking on Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson's podcast, he revealed that he feels lighter now than he did during his middleweight run, making a return to 185 a realistic option.
That's a game-changer-because when Pereira won the light heavyweight title, he called out Adesanya for a trilogy at 205. But Adesanya, having struggled in his own attempt to move up, declined. Now, with Pereira open to cutting weight again, the possibility of a third fight suddenly seems more viable.
While Pereira's willingness to return to middleweight is a major factor, it's not the only piece of the puzzle. Adesanya is no longer the middleweight champion, having lost the title to Dricus Du Plessis. That means a trilogy fight, at least for now, wouldn't carry the same championship stakes.
However, Adesanya is set to face Nassourdine Imavov in Saudi Arabia. If he wins, he could position himself for a title shot later in 2025. Meanwhile, Pereira is preparing to defend his light heavyweight belt against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 312. If both fighters win their bouts, the UFC may have the perfect opportunity to set up their long-awaited trilogy.
A lot still needs to go right for the stars to align, but one thing is certain-fans haven't given up hope of seeing Adesanya and Pereira settle their rivalry once and for all.