The rapper Drake’s surprising reaction after meeting Alex Pereira, who cost him 2.5 million dollars.

Drake, one of the biggest names in the music industry, is also known for his high-stakes sports betting. The rapper has placed several hefty wagers on UFC fights, often backing Israel Adesanya—only to see his bets crash when Alex Pereira stepped into the octagon. Despite losing $2.5 million due to Pereira’s knockout victory over Adesanya, Drake recently met the UFC champion in Sydney, Australia, and his reaction took fans by surprise.

Drake’s Betting History with Israel Adesanya

Drake has long supported Israel Adesanya, famously winning a $1 million bet when Adesanya defeated Jared Cannonier at UFC 276 in July 2022. Encouraged by that success, Drake doubled down on ‘Stylebender’ with a massive $1,595,467 wager at UFC 281, expecting him to triumph over his longtime kickboxing rival, Alex Pereira.

However, things didn’t go as planned for the Canadian rapper. In a dramatic turn of events, Pereira knocked out Adesanya in the fifth round, not only claiming the middleweight championship but also handing Drake a significant financial loss. It was Pereira’s third victory over Adesanya, having already beaten him twice in kickboxing.

Loyalty to Adesanya Cost Drake More Money

Despite the devastating loss, Drake remained faithful to Adesanya and placed another huge bet when the two fighters squared off again for the belt at UFC 287 in April 2023. This time, he spread his wagers across two separate bets, investing $900,000 on Adesanya.

This gamble, however, paid off—Adesanya knocked out Pereira in the fourth fight, allowing Drake to recover the money he had lost at UFC 281. However, the rapper’s betting streak took a turn for the worse afterward. Following Adesanya’s victory, Drake continued to support him financially, only to watch him suffer back-to-back losses against Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis.

The downward spiral finally led to Drake skipping Adesanya’s fight against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia, where the Nigerian-born fighter suffered a shocking second-round knockout defeat. By that point, Drake had already lost all his winnings from Adesanya’s previous triumphs.

Drake’s First Big Bet on Alex Pereira Pays Off

After years of betting against Alex Pereira, Drake finally put his money on ‘Poatan’ at UFC 300, when Pereira faced Jamahal Hill. In a powerful display, Pereira knocked out Hill, securing another dominant victory and earning Drake a substantial $519,750 payout.

This marked the first time that the rapper publicly backed Pereira, and it turned out to be a wise decision. It also set the stage for a surprising and friendly encounter between the two men later on.

Drake Meets Alex Pereira in Sydney – A Viral Moment

Despite the financial setbacks he suffered due to Pereira’s victories over Adesanya, Drake’s reaction upon meeting the UFC light heavyweight champion in Sydney was nothing but respectful. The two met backstage at one of Drake’s concerts in Australia, where a viral video captured the interaction.

In the clip, Drake can be seen shaking Pereira’s hand and thanking him for attending the show. This moment caught many fans off guard, as some expected tension between the two due to Pereira’s history of costing the rapper millions in lost bets.

However, the meeting appeared to be completely amicable, with both men showing mutual respect. Drake’s gesture toward Pereira suggests that, despite his betting losses, he holds no grudges against the fighter.

How Fans Reacted to the Meeting

The viral video of Drake and Alex Pereira quickly sparked reactions across social media. Many fans praised the rapper for being a good sport, acknowledging that betting is part of the game and that losses come with the territory.

Some MMA enthusiasts also noted the irony of the situation—Drake spent years betting against Pereira, only to eventually switch sides and profit from his success.

One fan commented, “Drake finally realized Pereira is the real deal. Should’ve backed him from the start!”

Another joked, “Pereira should’ve asked Drake for his $2.5 million back!”

The interaction between the two further cemented Pereira’s status as one of the most respected fighters in the sport today. His ability to defeat Adesanya multiple times and later command respect from someone as influential as Drake speaks volumes about his impact on combat sports.

Drake’s Future UFC Betting Strategy

After experiencing both the highs and lows of betting on UFC fights, it remains to be seen whether Drake will continue wagering on the sport. His tendency to bet on high-profile fighters has led to mixed results—while he scored big wins with Adesanya and Pereira, his losses on Adesanya’s recent fights have been equally significant.

Some fans even speculate whether the infamous “Drake Curse”—where athletes and teams tend to lose after receiving the rapper’s public support—played a role in Adesanya’s downfall against Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis.

Given that Pereira won him money at UFC 300, there’s a strong possibility that Drake may place another bet on the Brazilian fighter in future bouts. Whether he continues his UFC betting streak or decides to step away from gambling on fights remains to be seen.

Alex Pereira’s Career Moves Forward

With Drake’s backing at UFC 300, Alex Pereira further solidified his legacy as one of the best fighters in the world. His ability to dominate both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions showcases his versatility and skill inside the octagon.

Following his knockout win over Jamahal Hill, Pereira now looks ahead to his next challenge. Some experts believe a potential superfight with former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones could be on the horizon. Others predict another title defense against a rising contender in the light heavyweight division.

Regardless of his next move, Pereira has firmly established himself as one of the most dangerous fighters in MMA history—and even a former adversary like Drake now acknowledges his greatness.

Conclusion

Drake’s relationship with Alex Pereira has been an unexpected rollercoaster, marked by massive bets, stunning knockouts, and ultimately, a surprising show of respect. Despite losing $2.5 million when Pereira knocked out Adesanya at UFC 281, the rapper eventually backed the Brazilian fighter and won big at UFC 300.

Their recent meeting in Sydney, Australia, proved that Drake holds no grudges against Pereira, and the moment quickly went viral. With both men at the top of their respective fields—one dominating the UFC, the other ruling the music industry—their unexpected bond has added an intriguing new chapter to the world of sports and entertainment.

As Alex Pereira continues his dominant run in the UFC, fans will be watching closely to see if Drake will keep backing him in future fights—or if the rapper will place another high-stakes bet on a different fighter. Either way, one thing is clear: when it comes to UFC betting, Drake is never afraid to take risks.