Glover Teixeira doesn’t believe that Israel Adesanya is interested in fighting Alex Pereira, even though it would be the most lucrative opponent for him in the UFC, and insists that Pereira moving up a weight class will prolong his career.
After claiming the UFC light heavyweight championship, Alex Pereira called out Israel Adesanya for a trilogy bout. Adesanya, however, didn’t sound too interested in fighting Pereira again, saying he’s still living “rent free” in Pereira’s head after stopping the Brazilian earlier this year. Pereira’s longtime training partner and friend Glover Teixeira expressed his lack of surprise at Adesanya’s lack of interest, considering the Nigerian talent has lost three out of four bouts to Pereira.
Teixeira insists that Pereira is still the most lucrative opponent for Adesanya in the UFC, as it’s the fight that would give him the most money. He also noted that Pereira’s move up a weight class will “definitely” prolong his career. Pereira’s potential fight with Jamahal Hill, who defeated Teixeira in his retirement bout, doesn’t carry any feelings of vengeance for the Brazilian veteran. Teixeira joked about “helping” Pereira by “breaking” both Prochazka and Hill before “Poatan” had to fight them.
Adesanya recently hinted at the idea of taking some time off from the sport and eventually returning by 2027 following an upset loss. Teixeira believes that Pereira is still the most lucrative opponent for Adesanya in the UFC. Pereira’s move up a weight class will “definitely” prolong his career. As for Pereira beating his old nemesis and potentially facing Jamahal Hill next, Teixeira insists that there’s no feeling of vengeance in the air, and that the belt is now with his friend, which is what matters most.