Alex Pereira’s Betting Odds Still Favor Israel Adesanya Despite UFC 295 Title Win

In a potential mixed martial arts trilogy bout, newly crowned light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, has emerged as the underdog in a suggested matchup against arch-rival, Israel Adesanya, following his recent UFC 295 win. Pereira, who previously held the undisputed middleweight championship and has defeated Adesanya in kickboxing matchups, claimed the light heavyweight crown at UFC 295 with a knockout win over Jiri Prochazka.

After securing the title, Pereira proposed a fight against Adesanya at the light heavyweight limit in a mixed martial arts rubber-match decider, offering an exciting opportunity for a third showdown between the two talented fighters.

Alex Pereira opens as underdog against Israel Adesanya

Despite his recent triumph, Pereira is considered a betting underdog at +155 to defend his light heavyweight crown against Adesanya if they were to meet in the Octagon once again. Adesanya, the City Kickboxing staple, is favored at -185 in the potential matchup.

These odds present an enticing opportunity for sports betting enthusiasts to capitalize on the possible bout and consider placing bets on the outcome. However, Adesanya has immediately rejected Pereira’s offer for a third fight in the UFC.

During an interview after UFC 295, Pereira expressed his desire to face Adesanya once again, emphasizing their shared history and stating, “Adesanya, come to daddy.” Their first encounter at UFC 281 resulted in a stunning fifth-round win for Pereira, while Adesanya emerged victorious in their second fight in April of the same year.

Adesanya’s potential layoff until 2027 or a comeback in March of next year adds a layer of uncertainty to the situation, leaving fans eager to witness a potential third matchup between the two formidable fighters.

Would you like to see Israel Adesanya fight Alex Pereira for a third time in MMA?