Adesanya feels underestimated ahead of UFC 287 Pereira rematch

Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is feeling underappreciated ahead of his title rematch with Alex Pereira at UFC 287 on Saturday in Miami.

"Not many people get the opportunity to show how great they are, to rise to the occasion when all the odds are stacked against them and people are counting them out," Adesanya said Wednesday at UFC 287 media day, per MMA Junkie. "And for me, this fight, I feel like the underdog. I feel like everyone is counting me out. I feel like because of the result of the last fight ... goldfish memory. They forgot what I've done in this game. It's time to remind people how great I am."

"The Last Stylebender" (23-2) has lost to Pereira (7-1) three times in combat sports. Although their UFC 281 matchup was their first meeting in MMA, they fought twice in kickboxing, with Pereira scoring a decision and knockout. Adesanya successfully defended the middleweight title five times before Pereira captured the belt with a fifth-round TKO last November.

Adesanya says he is focused on recapturing the gold and scoring the first victory in his combat career over "Poatan." The former champion also described their rivalry as "the greatest storyline in MMA history."

"This is like in every movie, that one shot," he said. "This is my Eminem moment, my '8 Mile' moment: 'You get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.' And this is it for me."

Despite not securing a win over Pereira in any of his previous meetings, Adesanya believes he can take down his rival after coming close to stopping the Brazilian fighter in the first round last November.

Meanwhile, Pereira is ready to close the book on his rivalry with Adesanya.

"I believe me beating him this Saturday, I will never face him again," he said.