Nigerian-New Zealander mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya on Saturday reclaimed his middleweight champion title by defeating Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287 in Miami.
Heading into the fight, Adesanya was 0-3 against Pereira, having been knocked out in the last two. The most recent finish came on November 12 in New York when Pereira, trailing three rounds to one on all three scorecards, rallied to knock Adesanya out in the fifth round at UFC 281 to win the middleweight title.
Pereira also was 2-0 against Adesanya in kickboxing, winning the second of the two bouts by third-round KO.
It took Adesanya just two rounds to end Pereira’s dominance and reclaim the middleweight title he lost last November.
Until now, Adesanya has been in the shadows of the Brazilian since 2017 when they first met in kick-boxing.
However, it took one fierce punch from Adesanya’s right hand to put out Pereira’s lights.
The Nigerian described his victory as a sweet revenge.
“This is a sweet sweet victory and you know I have a sweet tooth. The hunter is now the haunted,” Adesanya said during his post- fight interview inside the octagon.
