UFC 281 - Adesanya vs Pereira LIVE: Stream, latest updates and results tonight
Re-live round-by-round updates from the UFC 281 main event plus Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler and Weili Zhang vs Carla Esparza
Israel Adesanya’s three-year reign as UFC middleweight champion came to an end on Saturday night, as he was stopped by old kickboxing rival Alex Pereira in the final round.
Pereira entered New York City, Madison Square Garden, and the main event of UFC 281 with two wins over Adesanya from the pair’s kickboxing days, including a knockout victory five years ago. Adesanya, however, carried much greater mixed martial arts experience into the bout, with 23 wins and just one defeat as a professional, compared to the 6-1 record that his challenger had compiled. And Adesanya’s experience looked set to pay off, the Nigerian-born New Zealander outstriking “Poatan” in Round 1 and outgrappling the fatiguing Brazilian in the third and fourth frames.
However, a re-energised Pereira, 35, went in pursuit of a finish in the final round, eventually rocking Adesanya, 33, with a flurry of punches against the fence. Referee Marc Goddard stepped in as Adesanya failed to mount sufficient defence against the onslaught, and Pereira was declared the new champion as his old rival’s three-year reign came to an end. In the co-main event, Zhang Weili regained the women’s strawweight belt by submitting Carla Esparza, after Dustin Poirier submitted Michael Chandler, and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar retired with a brutal KO loss.
Re-live round-by-round updates from the UFC 281 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 281 LIVE
McCann vs Blanchfield – Round 1
McCann catches a kick and wings a right overhand. It doesn’t quite connect, and Blanchfield comes back with a right cross.
And another! She rolls under a hook and secures a double-leg takedown. She’s quickly into crucifix position and hammering McCann with punches and elbows!
McCann’s face is bright red from the strikes. She’s trying to buck Blanchfield off her, but to no avail.
Blanchfield gets to work on a Kimura, and eventually McCann taps!!!
UFC 281 LIVE
American Blanchfield has won six fights in a row, while McCann is riding a three-fight win streak.
Here we go!
UFC 281 LIVE
McCann has fought twice this year, securing early knockout wins at UFC London in March and July.
She is a nominee at next week’s BT Sport’s Action Woman Awards. Have your say in the awards and vote by clicking here.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday 16 November and broadcast live for anyone to watch on BT Sport, online and on Facebook and YouTube.
UFC 281 LIVE
Next up, Liverpool’s own “Meatball” Molly McCann is in action at flyweight, as the fan favourite takes on Erin Blanchfield!
UFC 281 LIVE
Andre Petroski def. Wellington Turman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
UFC 281 LIVE
Petroski vs Turman – Round 3
Petroski immediately shoots for a takedown from range, and he gets it against the fence.
Turman tries to reverse the position but is caught in a guillotine choke... Petroski looks to mount, but Turman eventually slips out! Perhaps Petroski felt that he was burning out his arms.
Still, Petroski is in full guard. Turman stays composed and eventually creates space, managing to stand.
Petroski picks him up and slams him to the mat, however, as we enter the final minute of this fight.
UFC 281 LIVE
Petroski vs Turman – Round 2
Petroski shoots for a takedown again but is caught in a guillotine choke!
He slips out as he and Turman hit the mat, and a scramble ensues. Petroski eventually takes his opponent’s back, but Turman survives and is even able to stand.
He tries for another standing guillotine, but it fails as the middleweights hit the canvas once more.
Now Turman is exhibiting some grappling control... but not for long, as Petroski reverses the position and drags Turman down.
Petroski is in half-guard after briefly flirting with a Kimura attempt, and that’s where the round ends.
UFC 281 LIVE
Petroski vs Turman – Round 1
Petroski is getting the better of the early exchanges, fighting out of a southpaw stance.
He blasts a body kick into the ribs of Turman before trying for a single-leg takedown. It’s denied at first, but he gets Turman to the fence and drags him down.
Turman does well to stand, and the middleweights move out into space. Petroski eats a straight right then connects with a left cross.
Petroski sees a head kick blocked before he goes to work on a single-leg takedown again, which he gets just as the round ends.
UFC 281 LIVE
Firstly, though, here are the early prelim results:
Matt Frevola def. Ottman Azaitar via first-round KO (2:30)
Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Silvana Gomez Juarez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Michael Trizano def. Seung Woo Choi via first-round KO (4:51)
Montel Jackson def. Julio Arce via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Carlos Ulberg def. Nicolae Negumereanu via first-round KO (3:44)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments