After three failures against the Brazilian, the Nigerian fighter has finally taken his revenge to once again dominate the middleweight category of the UFC.
The fourth was the good one! After losing twice in kick boxing (2016 and 2017), then in mixed martial arts (MMA, 2022), Israel Adesanya beat, and in a beautiful way, his forever “nightmare”the Brazilian Alex Pereiraduring UFC 287 held in Miami on the night of Saturday to Sunday.
The atmosphere was electric. Adesanya had warned before the event: The belt doesn’t matter. I just have to beat this guy. “, adding that this would probably be his last chance to get there.
Devastating hooks
The first round clearly reflects this state of mind. Very tense minutes, during which the two opponents compete with leg strikes to weaken the other.
It will be necessary to wait for the second round to see the situation settle. During this round, the fighters pick up the pace, engage more. And in the last minute, Alex Pereira seems to take over. Accumulating body shots on an Adesanya stuck against the cage, he mastered the debates… before the Nigerian went on the counter. After a well-absorbed knee strike, Israel Adesanya connects two right hooks that send his opponent to the mat. The Brazilian’s lights go out.
This fight will have allowed the Nigerian champion to regain his middleweight title. And to avenge years of frustration. A rage that the public could clearly feel during the celebration of the new champion: standing in front of an inert Pereira, Adesanya “shoots” three arrows at him, in response to the gesture that the Brazilian had made when he entered the octagon.