UFC middleweight contender Martin Vettori has said that he hoped Alex Pereira could beat Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya in the UFC 281 main event on November 12 in Madison Square Garden.
Pereira and Adesanya reportedly have a rivalry that goes back to their days as professional kickboxers. So far, Pereira (6-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has two wins over Adesanya (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) in kickboxing, which includes one by knockout.
“I really hope he goes out in another oxygen mask, and I think it can happen because that’s going to be a kickboxing fight,” Vettori said.
During an interview at UFC Fight Night 209, Vettori said seeing Pereira win against Adesanya would excite him as the next challenger. Vettori (18-4-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) made it clear he wanted to get another shot at the belt by fighting and defeating the former UFC champion Robert Whittaker (23-6 MMA, 14-4 UFC).
“I want Pereira to win just because it would excite me more as the next challenger, eventually,” Vettori said.
“And I think that will happen because, after this, I’m going to establish myself as the No. 1 contender. I mean, what’s left for me? I’ve pretty much fought everybody, and I think it will be undeniable, another title shot with a great performance against Whittaker.”
Chance for rematch against Adesanya
Back in late June, Vettori claimed that he would get another chance at fighting Adesanya and eventually defeated him.
After losing twice to Adesanya, Vettori spoke to MMA Junkie that he would be the only real challenge for Adesanya and has since been motivated after watching Adesanya fight against Jared Cannonier.
“I’ll get my wins against Adesanya before I’m over with MMA unless he walks away before, but I feel like I’m the only real challenge to him, and every time I do fight him – he has the win in the last fight,” Vettori said.
“But [I] came out unscathed, couldn’t really hurt me, not one single time. It was a lack of experience on my side, but yeah, for sure I want my win against him.”
Before he could get to meet Adesanya, however, Vettori first must contend and win against Whittaker in UFC Fight Night 209 on Saturday.
🇮🇹 ✈️ 🇫🇷@MarvinVettori ready to storm into #UFCParis on Saturday! pic.twitter.com/N7L2TFWnez
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 1, 2022
Adesanya’s disinterest in Whittaker vs Vettori
In an interview on “The Blakamoto & Oscar Show”, Adesanya said he wasn’t too interested in the fight between Whittaker and Vettori.
The 33-year-old fighter went on to say that he was more interested in the main event which would feature Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa at UFC Paris.
“I’ll watch it, meh. I know who’s gonna win. Rob’s gonna win, so that’s why it’s not exciting for me. But the main event, I don’t know who’s gonna win, and I like Gane, but I love Tai [Tuivasa]. That’s my dog,” Adesanya said.
“I’m excited for the main event. The co-main event I’m excited for, as well, but actually, I’m not. I’m not gonna lie, I’m not gonna bullsh*t you guys and give you the P.C. [politically correct] answers. I’m not actually excited for the co-main event.”
Adesanya, the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, has fought and defeated both Whittaker and Vettori twice. Despite claiming that he had no interest in their bout, Adesanya appears to be certain that Whittaker would emerge as the winner since the latter was more equipped than Vettori and better at striking.
“Whittaker is more well-rounded,” Adesanya said. “Also better striking, and I feel like he can grapple with Vettori and make him have problems.”