Israel Adesanya DEFEATS Alex Pereira to reclaim his UFC middleweight title belt

Israel Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight title after stunningly defeating longtime rival Alex Pereira at UFC 287.

‘The Last Stylebender’ produced a brutal second-round knockout to seal a victory over the Brazilian fighter and take back the title he lost in November last year.

It was the fourth time the two middleweights had met, their second in the octagon, and it was Adesanya’s first time coming out on top.

And he did so in style, fighting back from adversity to deliver the crushing blow midway through the second round.

The first five minutes of the fight were dominated by calf kicks and jabs, mostly from Pereira, as both fighters tried to find their distance inside the octagon.

And once that was established, the fireworks began. Pereira looked like he was taking the offensive in the octagon as he marched towards his rival.

The Brazilian landed a flurry of shots, including a heavy knee to the body, leaving Adesanya with his back to the cage and fans fearing another defeat.

But ‘Stylebender’ quickly recovered, dodging an incoming shot from Pereira and returning with a brutal right hand of his own that tripped his rival.

Once he smelled blood, Adesanya turned up the pressure and quickly landed another crushing right side that forced Pereira to the canvas.

The hammer fists followed and soon enough the fight was waved off. The Nigerian stood up and made an arcing motion towards his opponent, suggesting he had been ‘hunted’.

More to follow…