Sports
Israel Adesanya Knocks Out Pereira To Reclaim UFC Title
Former titleholder Israel Adesanya defeats middleweight champion Alex Pereira to reclaim UFC 287 title.
In the UFC 287 main event rematch versus former champion Israel Adesanya, middleweight champion Alex Pereira put his belt on the line for the first time.
In UFC 281, Pereira triumphed over “The Last Stylebender” to win the 185-pound title in November. In kickboxing, he has defeated Adesanya twice. In their first kickboxing encounter, the two fought to a draw, and in the rematch, Pereira defeated Adesanya by knockout.
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Adesanya was aware that this was his final chance to vanquish his foe.
They did not touch gloves. Pereira landed first with an outside leg kick. They exchanged calf kicks. Adesanya switched stances and then back. Both men were being calculated about when to attack. Adesanya began targeting Pereira’s body with kicks. Adesanya dipped just out of the way of a head kick. Pereira’s leg kicks could become a factor after a competitive first round.
Adesanya continued to target the body of Pereira. Pereira went on the attack. He connects with a left hand. Both men were letting their hands go. Adesanya stepped in with a right hand.
He was pressing the action throughout the frame. Adesanya started putting together combinations. Pereira answered with a right hand. He connected with a calf kick that seemed to have hurt Adesanya. Adesanya fires back and lands a thunderous right hand. He knocked Alex Pereira out! Pereira is out on the canvas, hands to his side.
The end official came at 4:21 of the second round. Adesanya is the new middleweight champion and a two-time titleholder.
