Pereira has zero 5 round experience. For someone who is massive for that weight class and who is known to cut a lot of weight, that’s a key consideration.
Adesanya’s team must have that in mind for their gameplan. I have a feeling Izzy might attempt takedowns or at the least, test the clinch in order to try and tire Alex out. For example, he might keep distance and chip away for a round and then go for a surprise takedown in round 2. Alex is aggressive and comes forward, which leaves him even more open for takedowns.
The more I think about this matchup, the more I see Izzy has more ways to win and with a proper gameplan, that usually means success.
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The key here is they’re both kickboxers.
Pereira may not have any 5 round MMA fights but he fought to a decision against Adesanya in kickboxing (not sure how many rounds).
It’s true Adesanya could try to wear him out and takedowns would help but he still has to do it. Which he literally never has.
And how would he wear him out on the feet more than he did in kickboxing?
Hopefully it’s a good action packed fight either way.
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Alex can gas, his loss in MMA was because he got tired (it’s an awesome fight btw)
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Pereira has two rounds win. After that Adesanya will take off.
Will watch later. Thanks for sharing. I just feel the need to mention that in a more recent fight he has gone 3 rounds and closed out the third strong.
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Don’t forget in their second fight Izzy was landing bombs and hand Alex ROCKED
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I have a gut feeling that Perreira has Izzys number.
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True.
Does it hold more weight than this?
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I’m not sure, either. I know Glory Kickboxing championship fights are 5x3 minute rounds.
Agreed. That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised to see him use them. He was dominated by Yan mainly because of grappling. If ever there’s a fight where he could show/prove his grappling, this is it. That’s why I find the possibility compelling.
Takedowns. 
Seems true in kickboxing, for sure.
Izzy isn’t champ for no reason, though. This is another sport and his chance to prove otherwise. That’s why I feel he will use more aspects of MMA than we have seen previously.
Depends how Izzy fights. If he tries to just point fight, Alex might be patient and look for opportunities. I think he can do that for more than two rounds.
If Izzy mixes things up and forces Alex to work in ways he isn’t comfortable, I have a feeling Alex might fade before championship rounds.
well weidman was kinda winning against Yoel, until he wasnt 
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Have we seen Izzys offensive wrestling and grappling game?
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Styles make fights. Izzy’s takedown defense may be worthless against Alex. Izzy can style guys with his kick boxing but that may not work against Izzy. I like Izzy and props to him win or lose for testing himself.
This. I don’t think enough people are considering that Izzy’s offensive wrestling and grappling skills are really unknown. Sure he’s been training them longer than Alex, so we assume he’s got the advantage there, but we really don’t know what either has got here.
Izzy has made a career of beating smaller guys. When he fought a big guy (Jan) he got bodied. I believe he’s going to lose this one
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I totally forgot about his fight with Jan. Now im leaning more towards Pereira taking this one.
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