Pereira vs. Adesanya 2: Adesanya Regains Middleweight Throne with Stunning Knockout
Alex Pereira Knocked Out in the Fifth Round
Miami, FL - April 8, 2023
In a thrilling rematch that lived up to the hype, former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya reclaimed his title by knocking out Alex Pereira in the fifth round of their main event clash at UFC 287. The highly anticipated bout took place at the Kayesa Center in Miami, Florida.
Adesanya, known for his precise striking and devastating kicks, controlled the early rounds, peppering Pereira with jabs and low kicks. However, Pereira, a former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion, showed his power in the third round, knocking Adesanya down with a barrage of punches. Adesanya managed to recover but faced significant adversity in the fourth round, as Pereira continued to press forward with his aggressive striking.
In the fifth and final round, Adesanya turned the tide, landing a clean left hook that staggered Pereira. Sensing his opportunity, Adesanya swarmed his opponent with a series of punches, forcing referee Marc Goddard to intervene and stop the fight.
With the stunning victory, Adesanya avenged his loss to Pereira in their previous encounter in 2016 and reclaimed the middleweight championship. He praised Pereira's toughness and resilience but emphasized that he had learned from his past mistakes and was determined to regain his throne.
Pereira, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Adesanya's dominance and expressed his admiration for his skills. He vowed to return stronger and expressed his desire for a trilogy bout down the line.
Adesanya's victory cements his status as one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history. The former kickboxer has now won 12 consecutive fights in the division and has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. The future of the middleweight division remains uncertain, but with Adesanya back on top, one thing is clear: the excitement will continue.
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