History repeated itself at UFC 281 when Alex Pereira caught Israel Adesanya late in their MMA rematch, setting in motion a TKO win that put the UFC middleweight belt around the Brazilian’s waist.
Adesanya repeatedly played with fire as he stood and struck with Pereira. Late in the first, it nearly paid dividends with a last-second stoppage. But Pereira survived and then got his revenge with a flurry of punches that sealed the victory at 2:01 of the fifth and final round.
Here’s what fighters had to say bout Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya and the UFC 281 main card on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Brazil has one more champ tonight! Congrats to pereira.
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) November 13, 2022
Holy shit that was freaking wild!! Pereira got some serious power.
— Funky (@Benaskren) November 13, 2022
Let me fight with this guy, 1 road finish him ⚔️✊
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) November 13, 2022
Early stoppage it’s a championship bout ♂️
— Bonecrusher ☠️ (@Marc_Diakiese) November 13, 2022
Congrats to Alex, unlucky Izzy you’ll be back.
— D (@darrentill2) November 13, 2022
Respect to both @stylebender and Alex Pereira. What makes MMA such a beautiful game is a fight ain’t over til it’s over! Can’t wait to see the quadrilogy! #UFC281
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 13, 2022
Me and adesanya again
Let’s fucking go— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) November 13, 2022
I’m up for immediate rematch, that was fun!
— Funky (@Benaskren) November 13, 2022
OMG! Weili just submitted Carla . WOW!! I expected a KO.. but submission?!
#UFC281— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) November 13, 2022
Zhang must be fkn strong as. She’s jacked at 115lbs looks like it’d hurt being hit by her.
Had a feeling with strength against Esparza and a good scramble game would work for Weili #UFC281
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) November 13, 2022
Damn dominance by Zhang. That TD defense was super slick!!
— Funky (@Benaskren) November 13, 2022
Congrats Weili beautiful performance
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) November 13, 2022
Poirier turned Chandler into a wrestler and ultimately it was his undoing… HELL OF A FIGHT #UFC281
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) November 13, 2022
This sport is so wild!! I’m in disbelief of that back and forth performance from these warriors! Congrats to the Diamond!! #UFC281
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 13, 2022
Frankie is a legendary part of this sport
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) November 13, 2022
Frankie is an absolute legend
Happy for Chris— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) November 13, 2022
Welcome back Dan ✊ good performance
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) November 13, 2022
That was one of the strangest fight I’ve ever seen
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) November 13, 2022