In the main event of UFC 287, Israel Adesanya aka Stylebender knocked out Alex Pereira cold to reclaim the middleweight championship.
That was the pair’s fourth bout, with Pereira defeating Adesanya twice in kickboxing before following the Nigerian-New Zealander into mixed martial arts, where he defeated Adesanya with a TKO in November.
The first round was a touch shaky, with more leg kicks exchanged than anything else. In the second round, things picked up beautifully. Poatan was considerably more eager to let his hands go, and he was immediately pounding on Izzy’s lead leg.
Pereira had Adesanya pressed against the fence and started unloading big blows, but Adesanya had a plan.
In round two, with his back to the cage, Adesanya, 33, unleashed two crushing right hands that sent Pereira, 35, to the canvas.
Adesanya’s triumph avenges three previous defeats to Pereira.
He was defeated in kickboxing twice in 2016 and 2017, as well as at UFC 281 in November.
“I hope each of you may experience this degree of happiness at least once in your lives,” said Nigerian-born New Zealander Adesanya.
“But here’s the thing: if you don’t pursue something in your life, you’ll never feel this degree of satisfaction.” If you remain down after they knock you down, you will never get back up.
“Strengthen your intellect and experience this degree of enjoyment.” I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience this again and again.”
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UFC 287 fight card, results
Israel Adesanya def. Alex Pereira (c) via second-round knockout (punches)
Gilbert Burns def. Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Rob Font def. Adrian Yanez via first-round TKO (punches)
Kevin Holland def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via third-round TKO (punches)
Christian Rodriguez def. Raul Rosas Jr. via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kelvin Gastelum def. Chris Curtis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Luana Pinheiro def. Michelle Waterson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Joe Pyfer def. Gerald Meerschaert via first-round TKO (punches)
Loopy Godinez def. Cynthia Calvillo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Ignacio Bahamondes def. Trey Ogden via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Steve Garcia def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke via second-round TKO (strikes)
Sam Hughes def. Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)