Adesanya reclaims UFC Belt
MIAMI, April 9 – Former UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya pulled off a stunning knockout win over Brazil’s Alex Pereira to reclaim the middleweight crown at UFC 287 at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, Florida on Saturday. Adesanya knocked out the Brazilian in the second round to avenge his only UFC defeat at middleweight.
After a cagey first round that saw Pereira once again go after Adesanya’s lead leg with brutal kicks, the fight came to life in the second round, with both men landing head kicks early and Adesanya’s boxing and movement around the Octagon becoming more pronounced.
As the second round prepared to come to a close, Adesanya got backed up against the cage but suddenly found a home with his right hook and followed it up with another to knock Pereira out and take back the belt he lost to the Brazilian in November.
Post-fight, Adesanya said of his performance “I played possum a bit … look at me, I am here, he is here, that last one (punch) had everything. That last hammer fist was from the gods,”
The 33-year-old Nigerian-New Zealander told the fans in attendance that he hoped they would have the chance to feel the same joy which he was feeling at that moment.
“If you stay down, you will never ever get that resolve. Fortify your mind and feel this level of happiness as you rise,” said Adesanya, who had never beaten Pereira in MMA or kickboxing in their three previous outings.
It doesn't get more inspirational than THIS 🙌
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
Pure joy for @Stylebender #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/fVhL9HyYxH
