Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira and 4 other great rivalries in the UFC

#2. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz

UFC 196 was originally scheduled as a crowning moment for Conor McGregor. UFC President Dana White agreed to lift one of the promotion's longstanding restrictions and allow the Irishman to challenge for another championship while holding on to the featherweight title.

His opponent was Rafael dos Anjos, the then reigning UFC lightweight champion. After fracturing his foot, however, the Brazilian withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Nate Diaz.

Diaz had, months earlier, called McGregor out in an infamous post-fight interview during which he accused the Irishman of taking everything he had worked for. Without a fight camp to prepare him, many expected Diaz to lose.

His chances were written off by fans and media members alike. The pre-fight press conference featured trash talk between the two, as was expected, with McGregor referring to Diaz as a gazelle: prey.

On fight night, both men entered the octagon high on confidence. McGregor dominated the first round, while Diaz bided his time by rolling and moving with the Irishman's punches to sap the power from them while countering his foe.

After a round of overextending his power-punches and throwing flashy energy-consuming kicks, McGregor emptied his gas tank. In a shocking twist, Diaz rocked his foe with a 1-2 combination, forcing the Irishman to shoot in for a takedown.

The Stockton legend defended his foe's takedown, ultimately securing a rear-naked choke in one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history. It was a humiliating loss for McGregor.

At the time, he was a world champion, whereas Diaz already had eight UFC losses on his record with his championship pursuits all but a distant memory. A rematch was scheduled and McGregor was uncharacteristically calmer during the build-up to UFC 202.

Insults were traded between the two and the younger Diaz brother promised to put an end to Conor McGregor's UFC push. The second bout was a back-and-forth affair which McGregor ultimately won by majority decision, a result that Diaz has contested to this day.

While the two have not faced one another since, a trilogy bout has been rumored as both men continue to jaw at each other on social media.

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#1. Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya

There is no love lost between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya. The two, in many ways, are opposites.

Adesanya is an elusive counter-striker who neutralizes his opponent's ability to engage, while Pereira is a pressure-based knockout artist with the most brutal left hook in kickboxing history.

The Brazilian is a reserved character who radiates a silent but thick intensity. 'The Last Stylebender', on the other hand, is outspoken, wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Adesanya never captured a world title in kickboxing but currently holds the UFC middleweight championship. 'Poatan', by contrast, has never held an MMA championship but is the first kickboxer in history to simultaneously hold two Glory titles.

Both men have crossed paths in the kickboxing world, with Pereira winning both matchups. Their first bout ended with a decision victory in favor of Pereira, a result that Adesanya disputes. Their second fight, however, ended in a brutal knockout that led to Adesanya requiring an oxygen mask in the ring.

The losses appear to be a source of significant insecurity for Adesanya due to his emotionally-charged reactions whenever the topic is brought up. For example, when Sean Strickland used the losses as verbal ammunition at the UFC 276 pre-fight press conference.

The rivalry was further heightened by the Nigerian's expressed desire to introduce his future foe to the damage he'll be able to inflict with four-ounce gloves, citing his success against Pereira during their past kickboxing bouts.

Pereira, confused by Adesanya's statement, questioned the logic behind the Nigerian's words given that with larger gloves, he left Adesanya unconscious in the ring.

Following both men's performances at UFC 276, a future title fight is in the works with Adesanya looking to avenge his past losses, while Pereira intends on repeating his kickboxing success against 'The Last Stylbender' in MMA.