UFC 287: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira is the fight everyone is talking about this weekend. The two middleweight rivals will meet, for what many suspect, the final time in their careers. And ahead of the blockbuster event, we look at five ways Israel Adesanya can beat Alex Pereira. Follow UFC 287: Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya LIVE Streaming updates with Insidesport.IN.
Adesanya will have to pull something out of the hat against Pereira. The Brazilian has won all three bouts against Adesanya, two by knockout and one by unanimous decision. However, in all the fights, Adesanya has had the upper hand at some point. So here’s what Adesanya can do differently in the rematch this weekend.
UFC 287: 5 Ways Israel Adesanya Can Beat Alex Pereira
5 Ways Israel Adesanya can beat Alex Pereira
5. Make it a boring and slow fight:
Although this will annoy the fans, if Adesanya wants the win at any cost, he should consider making it a very slow and boring fight. We have seen that Pereira likes to engage and fight at close range. However, he is not the fastest at closing down the distance. Therefore, if Adesanya can fight like how he fought Yoel Romero, he has a good chance of avoiding a knockout.
4. Restrict the trash-talk:
Pereira is already one of the most powerful middleweights in UFC history. In addition to this, the Brazilian has the added incentive to shut up Adesanya given how much the New Zealander talks during fight week. However, if Adesanya wants to increase his chances, he should consider reducing the trash talk. An angry Pereira is definitely worse.
3. Fight fire with fire:
It is clear that Adesanya’s striking is more precise and faster than the Brazilian. Pereira only has the advantage of being more powerful. However, Adesanya should consider fighting fire with fire as he did with Paulo Costa. That way, he can engage the Brazilian and rely on his precision and speed to finish the fight. We also saw in their last fight, Adesanya almost knocked out Pereira in the second round when the bell saved him. Therefore, he could try to replicate that moment a little earlier.
2. Rely on his wrestling:
Adesanya is not famous for his ground game. However, given Pereira is still early on in his MMA career, Adesanya is definitely the more experienced wrestler. The New Zealander can rely on his ground game and maybe get a surprise submission victory over the Brazilian.
1. Fight at a distance:
And number one on our list and what we think will most likely happen is Israel Adesanya fighting at a distance. The New Zealander is definitely quicker than the Brazilian. Therefore, he can move in and out of range much better than Pereira. Therefore, if he can do this without getting hit cleanly, he will take home a decision win.
What do you make of the Pereira vs Adesanya bout? Do you think Israel Adesanya will finally be able to beat Alex Pereira?
Follow UFC 287: Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya LIVE Streaming updates with Insidesport.IN.
