Israel Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight title on Saturday by brutally knocking out Alex Pereira in their UFC 287 rematch.
Adesanya won against Pereira in the second round after losing his UFC middleweight title to the Brazilian in November 2022.
‘The Last Stylebender’ was also beaten twice by Pereira in kickboxing, losing a controversial decision to his bitter rival in their 2016 meeting before being brutally knocked out by him in their rematch the following year.
It was a tentative start to the opening round of the rematch as both men traded leg kicks with neither two landing anything significant in the first two minutes.
Adesanya landed the best strike of the first round by way of a body kick whilst Pereira was just slacking behind in terms of output.
Pereira blocked a head kick from Adesanya at the start of the second round and replied with one of his own that briefly put ‘Stylebender’ on the backfoot.
News About Nigeria gathered that Pereira doubled up on his signature left hook but Adesanya countered it with an overhand right that staggered the Brazilian, with ‘Stylebender’ landing another right hand that floored his rival.
Pereira was unconscious as he hit the canvas and Adesanya landed one follow-up punch before referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight.
Reacting to his victory, Adesanya said, “I told you the hunter is now the hunted. They said revenge is sweet and if you know me I’ve got a sweet tooth,” Adesanya said after his win.
“This is f****ng sweet. Alex is a great champion no matter what, he lost the belt tonight but he will always be a champion. In his story I’m the bad guy, but tonight is my story. Him beating me made me a better fighter.”
“I told you the hunter is now the hunted. They said revenge is sweet and if you know me I’ve got a sweet tooth,” Adesanya said after his win.
“This is f****ng sweet. Alex is a great champion no matter what, he lost the belt tonight but he will always be a champion. In his story I’m the bad guy, but tonight is my story. Him beating me made me a better fighter,” he added.
