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<\/p>\nUFC welterweight Stephen Thompson has always had an analytical mind for the sport and he lends his expertise when talking about Israel Adesanya\u2019s potential next title defense. Speaking on his \u2018Technique Tuesday\u2019 show, \u2018Wonderboy\u2019 gave his honest assessment of Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira.<\/p>\n
This will be the third time both men collide in combat sports and the first time in the sport of MMA. \u2018Poatan\u2019 holds two wins over \u2018Izzy\u2019 during their days as kickboxers and his second victory came via vicious knockout. He still stands as the only man to knockout Adesanya cold, a fact that hasn\u2019t escaped Thompson\u2019s watchful eye.<\/p>\n
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\u201cBoth guys haven\u2019t changed a lot dramatically when it comes to their standup,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cThis is MMA. Anything can happen, anybody can look for a takedown. You\u2019ve also got to go into the fight thinking that as well. You\u2019ve got to prepare for that. Do I think Alex Pereira is going to look for a takedown? No.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Read More: \u2018Give Me a Ranked Guy Next\u2019- Shane Burgos Issues Decisive Call-Outs of Dan Ige and \u2018The Korean Zombie\u2019, Wants to Redeem Himself After Last Fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stephen Thompson predicted a classic Muay Thai bout and certainly doesn\u2019t anticipate any takedown from Pereira. \u2018Wonderboy\u2019 is expecting an all-out stand-up clinic and if the fight delivers, it will help repair Israel Adesanya\u2019s new-found reputation of being a boring fighter.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this fight\u2019s going to stay standing. I think it\u2019s going to be a classic Muay Thai fight, including the elbows and more knees. \u2026 I think it\u2019s going to be a great fight.\u201d<\/em> [h\/t mmafighting.com<\/a>]<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter what, I want to see this fight. Who else is Izzy going to fight but Alex Pereira? These guys have history together. This is the only guy to put Izzy to sleep. I think they\u2019ve got to run it back a third time, third time\u2019s the charm. Izzy\u2019s got to win it, that\u2019s how I see it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot on the line for both men as they look to define their rivalry that spans across various forms of combat sports. A win for Alex Pereira would be monumental, as he would be a UFC champion in just 4-fights and would also be 3-0 against one of the best middleweights to ever do it.<\/p>\n More UFC news:<\/p>\n \u201cOne Thing About Izzy That Is Absolutely Unique\u2026.\u201d- John McCarthy Reveals a Skill That Separates Israel Adesanya From the Rest of the Division<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yebscore-cms.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/2022\/07\/Da.jpg\")
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