The new UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya battled many demons after losing by knockout to competitor Alex Pereira in November of last year. It was his third loss to the Brazilian in kickboxing and MMA. Adesanya earned his retribution, and he got it with a pair of vicious right punches that destroyed Pereira to finish their fifth encounter in the UFC 287 main event.
The former middleweight champion Pereira officially lost the fight at 4:21 of the second round and Adesanya became the UFC middleweight champion for the second time in his career, but more significantly, he earned arguably the biggest and most significant victory of his career.
“They say revenge is sweet and if you know me, I’ve got a sweet tooth. This is f****** sweet. I’m telling you, no matter what, Alex is a great champion. He lost the belt tonight but he will always be the champion.” Adesanya told after the match.
“I told you, the hunter is now the hunted. Beating me, he made me a better fighter, a better person. In this camp, I didn’t f*** around. That last one had everything. Since 2017, that last hammer fist was from the gods.” he said.
Israel Adesaya brutal puches to Ales Pereira
There was a lot of familiarity because Pereira and Adesanya had fought each other so frequently in the past and it was also visible in the fight as both were attempting to establish authority on the feet by hoping to set up leg kicks early. Although Adesanya began to find his rhythm with a series of body blows, Pereira continued to hammer with the calf kick.
Once the second round got underway, Pereira unleashed a number of powerful blows that supported Adesanya and brought back memories of their first encounter. Adesanya was able to defend himself this time, regroup, and then hit Pereira with some piercing blows of his own. When Pereira decided to become aggressive, Adesanya maintained his composure and never displayed any signs of panic because he was simply waiting for the ideal opportunity to unleash his greatest strikes.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Izzy tap dancing on his grave pic.twitter.com/O80diWuzqA
— Maybe: Jay (@ESGNJay) April 9, 2023
Holy fuck, what a knockout, did what he promised is a real champion. I can't wait to see the trilogy.
— Jorge Maldonado (@JorgeAr18557801) April 9, 2023
Izzy is who he said he is…Omo ADESANYA!!! What a knockout!!!, Ice Cold!! Man just absorbed all the combos and unleashed his wrath on perreira!!! #Ufc
— Phenix (@Somescky) April 9, 2023
Izzy acting like he beat the man 4 times with that celebration. That’s over the top for someone who is 1-3
— Hate.Us.Cause.They.Anus (@KGOTLAS33ME) April 9, 2023
Me if I was in that octagon pic.twitter.com/kjzJp1Ai1B
— kaden (@kaden93516205) April 9, 2023
Wtf Alex was doing so good ?
— Combat Sports Insider (@combat_insider) April 9, 2023
Adesanya ain't no joke man c'mon ?????
— Shabeel99 (@AminAhm63342205) April 9, 2023
izzy the fckin goat ahahhahahahahaha fuck perrera
— . (@gsaini7) April 9, 2023
Pereira ? pic.twitter.com/PZqc0CknCL
— ?????????? ????? (@dayyaantheking) April 9, 2023
