Israel Adesanya commented on the UFC 6 video game cover art, which prominently features Alex Pereira, while only Adesanya's shoulder is visible in the frame. Adesanya responded by pointing out his own extensive appearance history on UFC game covers. He asked rhetorically if anyone knows someone who has been on the UFC cover three times. The post comes amid the ongoing rivalry between the two fighters, who have faced each other multiple times across kickboxing and MMA.
Israel Adesanya took aim at the newly revealed UFC 6 video game cover art on April 28, 2026, after noticing that his rival Alex Pereira commands the spotlight while only Adesanya's shoulder makes it into the frame.
Adesanya, a 36-year-old Nigerian middleweight fighting out of City Kickboxing, was hardly subtle in pointing out the slight. The former champion, who carries a 24-6 record and lands 4.03 significant strikes per minute with 48 percent accuracy, responded by reminding the public of his own history with the franchise. He asked rhetorically whether anyone knows a fighter who has appeared on the UFC game cover three times — the implication being that his credentials in that department speak for themselves.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, is the dominant figure on the cover. The 38-year-old Brazilian holds a 13-4 record and has been one of combat sports' most compelling figures in recent years, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at an imposing 62 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, Pereira has earned his marquee status inside the UFC's promotional machine.
The exchange carries added weight given the long history between the two men, who have shared the competitive arena multiple times across kickboxing and MMA.
Why it matters
- Adesanya's public reaction keeps a high-profile rivalry in the headlines even outside of fight announcements
- Pereira's cover placement reflects his status as light heavyweight champion and one of the UFC's top stars
- The back-and-forth underscores how deeply personal this rivalry remains for both fighters
- Adesanya, now ranked eighth in the middleweight division, used the moment to reassert his own legacy within the sport
