Nigerian-born UFC star Israel Adesanya claims the ‘juju’ employed by his fierce rival Alex Pereira is real, News Sports Extra reports.
In a recent episode of the “JRE MMA Show” with Joe Rogan, the former middleweight champion expressed his belief in the Brazilian fighter’s spiritual prowess, echoing sentiments earlier voiced by ex-light heavyweight titleholder Jiri Prochazka.
“You know what Jiri said about the whole Juju thing? That’s real. That’s real,” Adesanya said, referencing Prochazka’s accusations of Pereira using shamanic sorcery.
The ‘Stylebender’ drew parallels between his losses to Pereira in the UFC and their previous encounter in Glory kickboxing, noting eerily similar patterns in both fights.
“The last time I fought him in Miami, look… the guy beat me in the biggest arena on the planet, Madison Square Garden, the same way as the last time he beat me in Brazil,” Adesanya said.
He further detailed how he seemed to have the upper hand in those bouts before Pereira mounted miraculous comebacks, saying, “I was beating his a**, had him hurt at the end of the first round… and then he gets me in the last round.”
Adesanya attributed Pereira’s uncanny ability to recover and turn the tables to spiritual forces.
“It’s his spirit, his whatever, like ancestors or his people, that are praying for him… The way he carries himself. Something about him just—he knows how to recover well,” he added.
Adesanya also acknowledged his own spiritual practices, pinpointing his parents’ prayers and fasting on his behalf. He, however, appeared to suggest that Pereira’s spiritual backing might have an edge.
Pereira, for his part, has remained unfazed by the supernatural allegations. The Brazilian fighter maintains that belief in spirits is a personal choice, stating that everyone possesses them.
He expressed satisfaction with how his spirits have guided and assisted him in his martial arts career.
As this latest twist adds a mystical element to the already intense rivalry between Adesanya and Pereira, it’s clear their battles are no longer just physical. The question of who holds the stronger connection to the spiritual world has now entered the octagon.
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