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

The UFC is home to fighters who are driven by the competitive urge to overcome their adversaries. In sports that have nothing to do with physical combat, rivalries arise due to the inborn need to do better than those with whom one is competing.

The feeling is even more pronounced when one's competitor is tasked with physically harming them to claim victory.

Mixed martial artists, like all combat sports athletes, are proud men and women. Many equate their success in the ring or cage with their own self-worth as a person.

Many regard the world championships they win as physical embodiments of the hardship and effort they pour into pursuing their dreams. Thus, when other fighters emerge to challenge them, some fighters take things personally.

This has led to a range of rivalries in the UFC. Some rivalries are due to personal differences, while others arise from a competitive fire burning too brightly.

The greatest UFC rivalry among active fighters at the peak of their powers is likely Israel Adesanya's with Alex Pereira. This list examines their contentious history along with four other rivalries in the UFC.

#5. Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway

Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway have been locked in a rivalry since late 2019. Both men have faced each other three times, with Volkanovski besting Holloway by decision every single time, though their second fight was controversial due to its close nature.

Before their first bout, Holloway was on a dominant run through the featherweight division as the defending champion. Joe Rogan, as has become common, prematurely declared Holloway the greatest featherweight of all time.

Volkanovski would soon emerge to put that claim in question. In their first matchup, the Australian neutralized Holloway's jab with his calf kick, interrupting him at every turn and preventing him from building his avalanche of offense.

UFC 245 ✅
UFC 251 ✅
UFC 276 ✅

Alexander Volkanovski completes the three-peat over Max Holloway. What a performance. Complete domination 👊 #UFC276 https://t.co/KEwuv7SdPC

A competitive fire was sparked between the two men. By the time of their second bout, 'Blessed' made the necessary adjustments to truly trouble Volkanovski, even dropping the Australian.

Fight fans and media members alike believed Holloway had done enough to claim victory. The judges, however, saw things differently, awarding Volkanovski a split-decision win.

Holloway was shocked and later incensed by the result. After rumblings of a third matchup between the two made the rounds, 'The Great' was himself incensed, claiming that it seemed as if the intention was to book rematches until Holloway won.

When Holloway had to withdraw from the scheduled trilogy bout, Volkanovski questioned the legitimacy of his injury. The matchup was rescheduled, and during the buildup to UFC 276, Holloway uncharacteristically relied on emotionally-charged trash talk.

Unfortunately for the Hawaiian, he came up short in his third attempt, losing in dominant fashion to his longtime rival.