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
Pereira is a former two-weight kickboxing champion, with incredible power in his striking.
UFC 281 LIVE
In 2016, Pereira outpointed Adesanya in a kickboxing bout.
Pereira then knocked out the Nigerian-born New Zealander in 2017, also in a kickboxing clash.
UFC 281 LIVE
Middleweight champion Adesanya is 23-1 in mixed martial arts, the 33-year-old’s sole loss having come while challenging for light heavyweight gold last year.
Meanwhile, Pereira is 6-1 in MMA, with five knockout victories to his name. The Brazilian, 35, is 3-0 in the UFC since debuting in the promotion 12 months ago.
UFC 281 LIVE
The UFC has confirmed that UFC 284 in Perth next February will feature an interim featherweight title bout...
Yair Rodriguez faces Josh Emmett, on the same card as the lightweight title fight between featherweight champ Volkanovski and Makhachev.
UFC 281 LIVE
While we wait for the fighters to make their ring walks, there’s still time to check out our main-event preview...
Israel Adesanya out to avoid haunting from old ghost Alex Pereira at UFC 281
The UFC middleweight champion has been faultless in the division, but his challenger this weekend is a familiar face with a successful history against Adesanya
UFC 281 LIVE
One fight left: Israel Adesanya defends the middleweight title against Alex Pereira, who holds two kickboxing wins over the UFC champion – including a knockout.
UFC 281 LIVE
Zhang Weili def. Carla Esparza via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 1:05).
UFC 281 LIVE
Esparza vs Zhang – Round 2
A right hand gets through for Zhang. She sees a head kick blocked, then Esparza takes down Zhang with a driving double-leg from distance.
Once more Zhang reverses, and she’s in a sort of crucifix position from below, locking in a rear naked choke...
AND ESPARZA TAPS! ZHANG REGAINS THE BELT!
UFC 281 LIVE
Esparza vs Zhang – Round 1
Inside low kick from Zhang, who presses forward early. Esparza darts in, jabs Zhang, then darts out. Lots of lateral movement from the champion, too.
Esparza blocks a high kick, then another. Zhang is starting to mix up her offence more. Esparza tentatively comes forward, missing with punches. Zhang with another low kick.
Esparza’s team call for a level-change, but she’s backed up and caught with a head kick! She tries to take down Zhang, who neatly reverses the position and takes down Esparza!
The women trade positions back and forth! A wild scramble here! Now Zhang is trying for a rear naked choke...
Now Esparza is on top! The women eventually stand and separate. Esparza catches a body kick and takes down Zhang, but another great reversal sees Zhang end up on top, in half-guard and raining down elbows!
The women stand as the round ends.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments