Glover Teixeira predicts Alex Pereira first-round KO over Israel Adesanya at UFC 281
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira predicts that Alex Pereira will score a first-round KO over Israel Adesanya at UFC 281.
Teixeira is the main training partner of Pereira, who takes on Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 281 in November. Pereira, of course, has previously fought Adesanya twice in kickboxing, winning both of those fights, with one being a brutal, viral knockout. MMA is a different sport, but Teixeira still has faith in his friend that he can get the job done against the champion when they step into the Octagon two months from now.
Speaking to AG Fight, Teixeira predicted that not only will Pereira defeat Adesanya, but he went a step further and suggested that “Poatan” will get the knockout in the first round.
“’Poatan’ is in the focus of MMA now, very strong, very focused, disciplined for his objective. He will seek this victory, because he believes 100% in his heart, confidence, in his head. Adesanya is a tremendous fighter, but it doesn’t matter. His game, of leaving, the ‘Poatan’ has a very good distance. His pressure is different. Adesanya knows this. He’s a very strong guy. Styles make fights. I don’t believe Adesanya has a chance against ‘Poatan’. Only if he’s having a bad day, maybe in a decision, but if he falls in, trying to cash out that knockout, he’ll be knocked out in the first round,” Teixeira said.
Pereira is 3-0 so far in the UFC with knockout wins over Sean Strickland and Andreas Michailidis and a decision win over Bruno Silva. Adesanya is no doubt a big step up in competition when compared to Pereira’s past foes, but Teixeira is confident he wins.
Do you agree with Glover Teixeira that Alex Pereira will knock out Israel Adesanya in the first round at UFC 281?
