Alex Pereira calls Israel Adesanya’s break ‘a waste of expertise,’ insists on MMA trilogy after UFC 295 title win

NEW YORK – Alex Pereira believes he’s nonetheless bought a rating to settle with Israel Adesanya, plus he’s additionally bought a favor to return.

The newly topped UFC mild heavyweight champion known as for a trilogy bout in opposition to Adesanya after he defeated Jiri Prochazka in the main event of UFC 295 on Saturday. Pereira (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) stopped Prochazka (29-4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) by TKO within the second spherical of their battle for the vacant title.

Instantly after the win in his post-fight interview, Pereira stated, ‘Adesanya, Come to daddy.’ This caught many abruptly as Adesanya is taking a break from MMA, and Jamahal Hill, who was the earlier champion at 205 kilos however needed to vacate the title on account of damage, is predicted to be the subsequent challenger.

Pereira was requested bout his ideas on Hill on the UFC 295 post-event information convention, however he disregarded the query and insisted on the Adesanya trilogy.

“I meant what I stated over there,” Pereira informed reporters by way of an interpreter. “I feel I owe this to Adesanya. He motivated me first, and the entire thing with him staying out all this time till 2027, I feel it’s a waste of expertise. I feel I can deliver him again.”

Pereira desires the Adesanya battle partially as a result of he desires to remain lively and doesn’t suppose Hill might be able to battle for some time. Nonetheless, if that battle does go down, it will likely be simply one other bout for the Brazilian. There’s nothing private with Hill, regardless of Hill beating his mentor, Glover Teixeira, earlier this 12 months.

“Many individuals requested me, ‘Hey, do you need to avenge Glover in opposition to Jiri,’ and I made it very clear I don’t deliver that emotion within the octagon as a result of I do know what I’ve to do, and I’ve every thing deliberate and skilled for,” Pereira stated. “I care about Glover quite a bit, however a battle is a battle. I may’ve come out with the loss tonight, however I bought to win.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 295.