UFC Vegas 50: Alex Pereira Believes Israel Adesanya Is Already Worried About Him

Alex Pereira, UFC Vegas 50
Alex Pereira, UFC Vegas 50 media day Credit: Alex Behunin/Cageside Press

Las Vegas, NV – Alex Pereira believes former foe Israel Adesanya is already worried about a potential fight.

“Po Atan” is back for his second UFC fight this weekend at UFC Vegas 50. Pereira (4-1) is coming off a successful UFC debut at UFC 269, where he knocked Andreas Michailidis out with a flying knee.

“It was a spectacular win, and what I take from that is we are on the right way on the train. The train is doing very good, and we keep doing,” Pereira told the media, including Cageside Press, during UFC Vegas 50 media day on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Pereira faces a fellow Brazilian knockout artist Bruno Silva, who has knocked out all three of his opponents so far in the UFC. Nevertheless, Pereira likes the tough match-up.

“It’s a very tough opponent. He’s had three hard fights and three hard wins. I respect a lot as an opponent, he’s a hard opponent, but I’ve trained hard for him,” Pereira said.

Pereira believes with an impressive win over Silva; he will be among the best in the division. And with that comes talk of him getting a fight with former foe Israel Adesanya. Pereira has defeated Adesanya twice in Glory Kickboxing, knocking him unconscious in their second fight.

When the UFC signed Pereira, everyone believed it was to potentially set up a fight between the former rivals. The Brazilian thinks Adesanya is already worried about potentially facing him.

“Honestly, the moment that he found out that I signed [with the UFC], I believe he’s already been worried about me because he knows of my potential and knows how far I can get,” Pereira said.

Watch the full UFC Vegas 50 media day appearance from Alex Pereira above. More coverage can be found below. The event takes place this Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Apex in Las Vegas, NV.