"What matters is what you do and inspire people" - Alex Pereira chooses impact over legacy, downplays competition with Israel Adesanya

Alex Pereira is often compared to Israel Adesanya due to their rivalry. However, according to a recent 'Poatan' interview, that's the furthest thing from his mind. Instead, the Brazilian star does not concern himself with the legacy of others. In fact, he doesn't even concern himself with his own legacy.

He prioritizes impacting and inspiring others, which he detailed in an interview on Laerte Viana na área - MMA, a YouTube channel that conducts interviews, lives, and event reviews in Brazilian Portuguese. When asked about his legacy as compared to Adesanya, Pereira said:

"Honestly, I don't know, man. You have to see the criteria they use. Adesanya made several defenses, I couldn't defend the middleweight belt. So, how much is it worth? Let's tally up the points, how much is it worth? You understand? Maybe 10 points for him, and me, for having been champion, two points. You understand? I don't know."

While Pereira acknowledged that Adesanya's title defenses eclipsed his own, as 'The Last Stylebender' managed five consecutive middleweight title defenses to Pereira's zero, he did bring up achievements that his rival failed to complete.

'Poatan,' for example, captured light heavyweight gold, which he defended at UFC 300 with an iconic knockout over former champion Jamahal Hill.

"But there are things that I did. I was a double champion. He tried, but wasn't. Maybe that's worth 10 points for me, two points for him. Or maybe it's worth ten for me, eight for him. So, we'd have to see, but you know this game. But I don't know, man. Honestly, I'm not worried about that because I don't think it matters how they classify you. What matters is what you do and inspire people. I think I'm doing that really well."

Check out Alex Pereira's thoughts on his accomplishments (10:24):

While both men are no longer interested in facing each other, it is likely that they will never stop being compared or linked to one another as long as they're both active fighters.

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Alex Pereira has other achievements that Israel Adesanya failed to achieve

In kickboxing, Alex Pereira has a legacy that is the envy of many. Not only has he beaten many notable kickboxers, he is also a former two-division Glory kickboxing champion, the first in the promotion's history.

Meanwhile, his rival, Israel Adesanya, was never a world champion in the sport, having spent most of his time in the Australian and New Zealand regional scenes. His only honors in kickboxing are being a multi-time King in the Ring winner, which is a regional tournament in New Zealand.