Adesanya reacts to his shoulder appearing on UFC 6 cover with Pereira

Israel Adesanya took to social media to share a lighthearted reaction after spotting himself on the UFC 6 video game cover — or at least part of himself, with his shoulder visibly appearing alongside light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the promotional artwork.

Adesanya, the 36-year-old Nigerian middleweight fighting out of City Kickboxing, used the moment to pose a rhetorical question to his followers, asking whether anyone else could claim a spot on three UFC video game covers. The former champion carries a 24-6 record and remains ranked eighth in the middleweight division, known for his technical striking style — averaging 4.03 significant strikes per minute with 48 percent accuracy across his career.

Pereira, whose shoulder-to-shoulder placement with Adesanya on the cover continues a theme that has followed both men across their combat sports careers, is currently the reigning light heavyweight champion with a 13-4 record. The 38-year-old Brazilian trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness and is among the most dangerous strikers in the sport, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 62 percent accuracy.

Why it matters

• The two share one of MMA's most storied rivalries, making their joint appearance on a cover — even an accidental one — immediately noteworthy
• Adesanya's claim of three cover appearances, if accurate, would reflect an unusual level of sustained commercial prominence for a fighter now ranked outside the top five
• The moment keeps their rivalry alive in the public conversation despite both men currently competing in different weight classes