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
“You need to knock him out,” is the message from Pereira’s corner.
UFC 281 LIVE
Round 5
Twice Adesanya feints for takedowns. He then grabs Pereira with a body lock and drives him to the cage wall.
Pereira throws a number of punches to the body. Adesanya lets go of Pereira then wings a right hook at the challenger’s head.
Pereira narrowly misses with a heavy punch, and Adesanya clinches again. He just misses with an elbow off the break.
Another round in the bank for Adesanya, who narrowly evades a right hook on the buzzer.
UFC 281 LIVE
Round 4
Adesanya briefly stands in southpaw. Pereira blocks a head kick as the champion goes orthodox again.
Adesanya scores with a jab, then a right straight. Pereira responds by backing up the “Last Stylebender”.
Good head movement from Adesanya, not for the first time tonight.
He kicks to the body, then the legs, then the head with a question-mark kick. He’s gaining confidence.
Now he backs up Pereira.
UFC 281 LIVE
Round 3
Each man lands an elbow. A left hand gets through for Adesanya.
The champion stands but refuses to let Pereira up.
Pereira kicks from the mat, but Adesanya scoots around the Brazilian’s legs and drops onto his rival with a hammer of a right hand!
A great round for the champion.
UFC 281 LIVE
Round 3
Adesanya still has the back, but Pereira is trying to stand against the fence.
Good use of weight by Adesanya, who drags down Pereira again.
The pair scramble into space, with Adesanya in Pereira’s full guard.
Pereira looks tired.
UFC 281 LIVE
Round 3
We have it 19-19 after two rounds.
Adesanya comes forward with jabs. A solid one-two from the champion now. He then digs to the body with a right hand.
Pereira backs him up, and Adesanya misses with the counter hook that spelt the end for Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker.
Adesanya with a body lock and takedown – his first in the UFC! He takes Pereira’s back!!
UFC 281 LIVE
Round 2
A couple of left hands get through for Pereira! Adesanya circles away.
Pereira backs up Adesanya again and seems to connect with a knee as the champion dips his head to his right.
The fighters grapple then separate, and Pereira lands a head kick! Adesanya absorbs it well!
Pereira shoots for a double-leg takedown and gets it just before the buzzer!
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