On Sunday morning, Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya regained the UFC middleweight championship from his bitter rival Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287 at the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida.
Four fights and seven years later, “The Last Stylebender” finally defeats Pereira, and he does it in spectacular style.
In the second round, with his back against the cage, Adesanya, 33, unleashed two crushing right punches that knocked Pereira to the ground, that eventually leads him winning the fight in just four minutes.
In this win, Adesanya atones for three prior losses to Pereira. In kickboxing matches in 2016 and 2017, as well as at UFC 281, he suffered two defeats.
Brazil’s Pereira overcame his most recent setback inside the cage with an incredible fifth-round knockout victory to claim the championship.
“I hope every one of you can feel this level of happiness for one time in your life. But guess what – you’ll never feel this level of happiness if you don’t go for something in your life. When they knock you down, if you stay down you will never get that resolve. Fortify your mind and feel this level of happiness. I’m blessed to feel this again and again and again,” said Nigeria-born New Zealander Adesanya.
Israel Adesanya knocks Pereira out, reclaims UFC middleweight title
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