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Israel Adesanya Boldly Predicts Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is riding with Alex Pereira to earn a stoppage against Khalil Rountree Jr. Saturday night at UFC 307.

Zain Bando

Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya reacts during his fight with Sean Strickland (not pictured) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya reacts during his fight with Sean Strickland (not pictured) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-Imagn Images / Jasmin Frank-Imagn Images

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya likes his old rival, Alex Pereira, to defend his light heavyweight title Saturday night against Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Adesanya uploaded a YouTube video Wednesday outlining how he sees the fight playing out. Given his extensive in-ring and in-cage experience with Pereira, Adesanya's first-person outlook shows just how intertwined the pair's long-standing rivalry is.

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Adesanya said Magomed Ankalaev is partially to blame for Rountree Jr.'s getting a title shot. He cited the UFC's lack of belief in him to become a superstar, unlike Rountree's potential.

"If you don't play ball sometimes [with the UFC]," Adesanya said about why Rountree Jr. got the title shot over Magomed Ankalaev. "It's all about leverage. What kind of leverage do you have? Ankalaev is a good fighter. He has been on a streak, almost undefeated. But, again, what kind of pull do you have? What kind of leverage do you have? Me, when I was coming up [the rankings], I was always dictating my next fight because I set myself up. I'll always have options. I'll be like, 'Right after this, I'm gonna take this guy out.' and just peek in the future."

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Adesanya admitted he, like most of the MMA community, was surprised when the fight was booked. However, the former two-time champion pulled back the curtain, saying the UFC is easy to do business with if fighters give into some of its demands.

Adesanya said he is looking forward to the fight, saying the pair match up well aganst each. other sylistically.

"Because of what Khalil brings [to the table]," Adesanya said. "Khalil is just a chill dude who's violent as f***. His whole story is crazy, as well. I always like crowning moments. Even when I saw the video of Merab [Dvalishvili] around Georgia, I'm like, 'Yeah.' Those moments, no matter what, I'm just like, 'Yeah, that's cool.' Cause I know what it feels like. ... But, he's fighting Alex and Alex right now is just on a tear. He's got momentum. Massive momentum. And he's just seemingly unstoppable. Khalil has to just go at him."

While Adesanya is a fan of Rountree Jr.'s story, he said the Las Vegas-based challenger will have to win the fight in early fashion before it's too late. He doubled down, saying it would be easier said than done against a power puncher in Pereira.

"He [Pereira] can catch him with anything, Adesanya said. "A hook coming in, a knee, leg kicks. And then, eventually, when you feel the third one, you're like, 'Oh, s***. Then I can't press him back anymore.' Yeah, then it's like a matter of time before you're drowning. Pereira just has to do what he does. Leg kick him. March him down. Get him to the fence. Start throwing combos, but then, Khalil, he's not gonna wrestle. No one's gonna shoot for a takedown in this fight. It's gonna be a f****** kickboxing fight."

"I'm gonna go Alex Pereira by second-round finish. And, look, if Khalil does it, it would f******* shock the world, but it'll be like, 'Oh, someone else has done it.' And they can f******* get off my d***."

Pereira vs. Rountree is part of a 12-fight card, beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with the pay-per-view commencing at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

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