With UFC 281 fast approaching, Alex Pereira took the time to recall his old but devastating knockout of current UFC champion Israel Adesanya, insisting that the loss is still plaguing him.
‘Poatan’ has been a force since joining the UFC, and has used his years of striking experience to put on some bone-crushing displays against a number of the top middleweights in the world. Though it was over five years ago, the Brazilian is hoping to score another sickening finish of the champion and take his throne.
While sitting down for media obligations ahead of UFC 281 this weekend, Alex Pereira announced his certainty that Israel Adesanya still has visions of the knockout at Glory Heroes 7 back in 2017.
“It’s [the knockout] still there for sure, you know what I mean? I don’t know how he could possibly erase that KO from his mind, but I know it’s still there.”
Israel Adesanya is a long-reigning champion who has dominated most of the top-ranked fighters in his division. That could come to an end when he is met by his old foe, Pereira, on Saturday night.
‘The Last Stylebender’ hasn’t shied away from mentioning his two losses to the South American, but believes he outclasses his opponent and retains his title on November 12.
UFC 281 looks to be a great card filled with a number of storylines that true MMA fans would not want to miss. Alongside the headliner, the event will showcase Carla Esparza’s title fight against Zhang Weili, a 155lb title eliminator between Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, and Frankie Edgar’s retirement bout.
Check out what Alex Pereira had to say about his past knockout of the middleweight champion in the video below.
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What happened during Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira in kickboxing?
While it is widely known that Pereira was able to knock Adesanya out when the two met inside the kickboxing ring, what isn’t considered by a large number of fans is how the fight played out.
Throughout the clash, the Nigerian-born New Zealander was arguably getting the better of the striking exchanges, and even had his opponent up against the ropes following a big flurry of punches.
Despite seemingly being the better fighter on the night, Adesanya was caught with a perfectly-placed left hook which sent him crashing down to the mat where he was unable to continue.