Watch: Israel Adesanya's intense training video ahead of fight against his nemesis Alex Pereira at UFC 281

Israel Adesanya is set to defend his middleweight belt for the sixth time at UFC 281. While he has never faced his opponent, Alex Pereira, in the octagon, the two have a rivalry from their kickboxing days. The middleweight champion is using that rivalry as fuel leading up to their title bout and recently shared footage of his training.

Adesanya can be seen doing intense drills with a medicine ball. He continues by performing battle rope drills while maintaining the same intensity.

Watch Israel Adesanya's training footage ahead of UFC 281 below:

Adesanya's intensity leading up to UFC 281 should come as no surprise. The middleweight champion was unable to emerge victorious in his two kickboxing meetings with Pereira.

His first loss against Pereira came via unanimous decision. In their second fight, also the last fight of Adesanya's kickboxing career, 'Izzy' was knocked out with a vicious left-hook from the now No.4-ranked middleweight. Pereira remains the only opponent to knock out Adesanya in his combat sports career.

Revisit Alex Pereira's knockout of Israel Adesanya below:

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Henry Cejudo admits Israel Adesanya was right after watching his two fights against Alex Pereira

Israel Adesanya's history with Alex Pereira has led many to believe that the middleweight champion would be dethroned at UFC 281. Former double champ Henry Cejudo had initially predicted a knockout for the challenger before changing his perspective upon watching their previous two meetings.

After watching the first of their two kickboxing fights on his YouTube segment, Fight Feedback, Cejudo changed his tune:

"Watching this fight, it was a lot closer and Israel was right. Watching it now, first hand, he did lose this fight, and it's because of this man and what he did towards the end of the second, but yeah, Israel did win the third, but that first round was all Pereira."

In regards to their second fight, Cejudo stated:

"Looking at this fight, I think my perspectives have changed from actually watching it and I do believe Israel has more of a chance now, but if you really analyze and pinpoint that fight - who is it that's going to be the aggressor in that fight is the person that's more likely going to win. When Israel was bringing the fight, he had more success."

Cejudo noted that Adesanya seemed to have more left in the tank prior to Pereira's third-round knockout in their second fight. If their UFC 281 matchup gets into the championship rounds, this could bode well for the reigning middleweight champion.

Watch Henry Cejudo break down both kickboxing fights between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira below: