UFC News
In the main event, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will try to defend his title against rival Alex Pereira. Pereira has defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing, but this will be the first time they meet in mixed martial arts. ##
Adesanya vs. Pereira takes place on November 12, 2022, at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, United States. The event kicks off Saturday, November 12 at 6pm ET / 3pm PT in the United States on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. The Prelims air at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on ESPNews and the Main Card will air exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10pm ET / 7pm PT. ##
UFC 281: Israel Adesanya Vs. Alex Pereira Full Fight ##
Round 1: Pereira charges into the cage with a jumping front kick to put Izzy on the sidelines. Adesanya in southpaw, Pereira in conservative. And both men are checking by kicking off immediately.##
Adesanya is quick to the outside as Pereira drives her down, main hand flashing. I am active with both low kicks. A few checks from both though. Neither kicks in but commits too much. Pereira lands some good guys and then gets high.##
Perera's left hook is missed. Adesanya kicks it to the head, but Pereira returns Adesanya against the fence. Adesanya gets to land his leg kick, and then goes high. He is using that high kick to take Perera off the pressure. Pereira returns the fire with his But Easy Block.##
For a short while and as Perera steps in, we get a body lock from Adesanya. He looks to pull Perera down but Perera is too strong, he turns Adesanya into the cage and lands some big shots to the body. Adesanya turns him in the cage then takes him off.##
Less time and Adesanya hits a right hand to the temple! Perera is hurt but the horn is on! Another big shot from Adesanya after the buzzer. Pereira in a bad way. He was still standing but he could be seriously compromised.##
Round 2: Adesanya could have benefited from that second shot that landed after the horn, but Pereira recovered well in the corner. And he's on the early march in this round, he's got Adesanya over the fence right away.##
Pereira missed with a hook and a spinning kick. Adesanya has his back to the cage with a right but a nice left hand. Adesanya is doing a great job of hand-to-hand fighting in this spot though, which is hindering Pereira's offense.##
Pereira takes a chopping shot inside and Adesanya turns it around. He is found and gets underhooked and goes for the takedown but Pereira is able to avoid it. Adesanya holds the clinch. He breaks down again and lands a nasty right hand on Pereira's rear brake.##
Pereira takes a chopping shot inside and Adesanya turns it around. He is found and gets underhooked and goes for the takedown but Pereira is able to avoid it. Adesanya holds the clinch. He breaks down again and lands a nasty right hand on Pereira's rear brake.##
They finally break and Perera is back on the attack. Goes with a head kick that just gets blocked. Adesanya fires a big counter and looks uncomfortable. Less time and Perera shoots the double and gets it! No time to do anything with it but the takedown went off with relative ease.##
Round 3: Adesanya hits some early kicks. Adesanya lands a big right hand. Adesanya goes for a clip with a big counter. Both fighter clinch in the center and Adesanya clinches the Takedown. ##
Adesanya with a rear waist lock. Adesanya landing a few shots and he's got one hook in, with wrist control. Pereira trying to get up but cannot. ##
Adesanya took some good shots from here. Pereira clearly lost this round and is now just hanging for horns. Adesanya now stands up and goes to hit the ax on the body which turns Pereira right past the horn. ##
Round 4: Pereira moves into the center again but he is not supporting Adesanya like before. It's more organized. Kicks and lots of lead hand fighting from both men. Perera just misses a left hook. Perera leaves his swing and he eats the right hand. The champion looks to be in better position now, but Pereira gets him back to the fence and pops the jab. Adesanya is finding his right hand behind the jab, and he's turning up the volume. ##
Adesanya breaks the clinch and lands a right hand, but Pereira returns fire and is now stepping on the gas with a minute left. A big left hook misses and Adesanya ducks under the clinch. Pereira is digging the knees and body shots here. Adesanya falls into a high crotch single, but can't finish it. ##
Round 5: Adesaniya is looking fresh as Daisy and Perera is staring at the dagger. He will leave it all there at this point in time. Pereira comes forward aggressively and quickly rips a big left hand across the body. ##
They break away and Pereira checks a kick that sends Adesanya reeling! He falls back! He is up and looks like his foot is fine but Perera is chasing now. Pereira is closing the distance and he is taking off. Adesanya Rolling but he is eating shots. He is eating too many of them. Adesanya is still on his feet but Pereira is dropping the bomb and Adesanya is gone. ##
Winner: Alex Pereira via TKO (punches) RD 5, 2:01 ##
UFC 281: Israel Adesanya Vs. Alex Pereira Fight Winner ##
Winner Alex Pereira TKO (punches) RD 5, 2:01 ##
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