Alex Pereira Shocks fans with surprising appearance along with the former rival at UFC 312

On February 9, 2025By Littum

Alex Pereira was all smiling next to his former enemy Israel Adesanya on UFC 312.

The couple linked to Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, where fans who fought in the morning blues showed their love for MMA down below.

Pereira uploaded the surprising photo under UFC 312CREDIT: @Atexperiraufc on x

And Adesanya followed shortly after with a more optimistic versionCREDIT: @stylebender on x

The card in Sydney started at 1 p.m. 10.30pm local time, but you could hardly tell the difference as those present gave a similar one, if not better atmosphere than typical UFC cards in America.

In fact, the UFC legend and British MMA icon Michael Bisping, who worked at the event, said, as the commentator: “The energy in here is ridiculous.” in front of the midboard.

Pereira, 37 is a two-division UFC champion, after beating Adesanya, 35, to demand middleweight gold back in November 2022.

Then he continued to demand the light heavyweight title and moved up a department to defeat Jiri Prochhazka after a cow loss to the Nigeria-born New Zealand fighter in their re-match.

Pereira and Adesanya have faced each other a total of four times in martial arts.

The last two excursions came in the UFC and the first two in Chinese kickboxing promotion, Heroes Glory, where Pereira won both bouts in 2016 and 2017.

Both men were present with a keen eye on UFC 312’s main event when Pereira’s training partner, Sean Strickland, challenged the DRICUS du Plessis in a fight to the middleweight title.

Adesanya knows what it feels like to step into Octagon with both men as they make up two of his last three losses in Dana White’s promotion.

‘The Last Stylebender’ has suffered three equal UFC defeats, with a loss to Nassourdine IMAVOV in UFC Saudi Arabia at the beginning of his month as his latest.

Pereira took on X Under Prelims on UFC 312 to share a straight face photo of himself with Adesanya and one of his coaches Plinio Cruz.

Adesanya ghostly edited one of the pictures to make it look like they were on a roller coasterCREDIT: @stylebender on x

Pereira is the current UFC -Lette Tongue Weight Master

He was clashing with adesanya that is four times in martial artsCredit: Getty

The caption read: “Chama”, which is translated into ‘Let’s Go’ or ‘Come Now’ when used as a slang, and is Pereira’s trademark response he often uses when talking to the media.

UFC fans all over the world were quick with their answers to the new found friendship.

One went to X and wrote, “Legendary photo.”

While someone else said, “Australia is blessed. Monumental image.”

A third added, “Alex and Izzy were going to start training together. They could really make each other better.”

Adesanya also shared the images into his X account, including one with the couple smiling and another edited to show both men on a roller coaster.

Adesanya and Pereira have traded UFC victoriesCredit: Getty

Adesanya was also spotted with the ex -rival whittaker in JanuaryCREDIT: @stylebender on x

He made headlines last month for similar reasons when he shared photos with another former rival in Robert Whittaker.

The two EX-UNFC masters were spotted sparring in training footage released by Adesanya, who has shared Octagon with Whittaker twice.

They then sat down on a podcast with each other to discuss the card on UFC 312.

Adesanya was crowned for UFC’s middle weight champion for the first time after knocking Whittaker out during a record match in October 2019.

Their first match exceeded the UFC 243 in Australia as both New Zealand representatives threw down in a title match to the All-Oceanic Region.

The event has the record for the most participating UFC card In the history of the organization as 57,127 fans wrapped in Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

The couple then met against UFC 271 in February 2022, when Adesanya won the match via unanimous decision.

Many fans have wondered if Adesanya’s best days are now behind him after his latest defeat to Imavov.