A massive UFC middleweight title fight is set to serve as the main event at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden on November 12. On Friday afternoon it was announced on ESPN’s SportsCenter by middleweight champion Israel Adesanya that he will defend his title against former kickboxing rival Alex Pereira, the fight will be Pereira’s first title fight opportunity since entering the UFC.
This will be the sixth title fight of Israel Adesanya’s title reign, his most recent defense came back last month at UFC 276, when he defeated challenger Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision. This will also be the third title defense fight for Adesnaya in 2022, as he also defeated former champion Robert Whittaker by unanimous decision back at UFC 271 in February. The stage was set for the champion and Pereira to meet when they both competed at UFC 276, and Pereira cemented his opportunity for a title fight by knocking out rising contender Sean Strickland in the first round.
Both men have history outside of their respective MMA careers, as Pereira owns two victories over Adesanya in their kickboxing careers, including a viral KO. No stranger to addressing his faults and losses, “The Last Stylebender” addressed Pereira’s kickboxing victories over him while on SportsCenter and noted the differences that he’ll be able to bring in their MMA fight due to skills and ruleset.
Adesanya on Pereira losses: They’re part of history — part of his story. The judges gave him the nod in the first and the second he took me out in the third round. Now, it’s time for my story.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 5, 2022
Adesanya: The gloves are different. My striking style is different. I can use elbows, my knees, I can stay in the clinch.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 5, 2022
Alex Pereira’s rise to the top of the UFC’s middleweight division was a very quick one. While his lone professional MMA loss came back in 2015, Pereira made quick work of his time with LFA and after just one fight with them, jumped to the UFC and picked up three consecutive wins, including the knockout of Strickland. On the same night in which he took his place as the top contender, Israel Adesanya received criticism for his lack of excitement and aggressiveness in another title fight defense at UFC 276.
The reigning champion addressed those concerns during his SportsCenter appearance, saying that he’s never one to avoid a fight and he’s excited to face an opponent who will bring the pace and aggressiveness towards him. During his comments, Adesanya guaranteed that either he or Pereira will be getting knocked out at UFC 281.
Adesanya: Have I ever avoided a fight? I always run toward the toughest guys. This is no different. The universe has presented this to me and it’s right there.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 5, 2022
Adesanya: I’m looking forward to having someone who is going to attack me, who is going to try and finish me. He’s going to get knocked out or I am, you have to watch to find out.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 5, 2022
The champion would take to his personal Twitter account after his television appearance, calling for vengeance against the man who has two victories over him, including a viral kickboxing knockout.
📖😈 #UFC281
“Vengeance is mine says the lord.”
Brooooo I said the same thing too!!
This ends here. Kill or be killed ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/apLQsg2ifJ— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) August 5, 2022
Alex Pereira worked his way quickly to the top, and now Israel Adesanya, the UFC, and fans alike will get the title fight they’ve been hoping for since the kickboxing champion joined the UFC promotion. With vengeance on the table for the middleweight champion, their styles lining up for a firefight, and the rivalry between them, the main event at UFC 281 has all the makings of an instant classic.
Mike Pendleton is a current contributor to MyMMANews while also hosting his “On The Mic” podcast and is a former Associate Producer at Sirius XM’s Fight Nation.
With a special passion for interviewing and talking to the very best around the fight game, you can read or listen to Mike’s work across his multiple outlets.
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