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
Now here comes Esparza, 35.
A smattering of boos for the American.
Her decision win against Namajunas to reclaim the strawweight title this year was a stinker of a fight, but both women played their role in that; the negativity towards Esparza this week has felt a bit unfair.
UFC 281 LIVE
Zhang is out first, taking her time to make her way to the Octagon.
Many are predicting an early knockout win for the 33-year-old this evening.
UFC 281 LIVE
Esparza is making the first defence of her second strawweight title reign, having outpointed Rose Namajunas earlier this year to reclaim the gold that she previously held from late 2014 until early 2015.
Meanwhile, Zhang is looking to regain the belt, having won it in 2019 before losing it to Namajunas in April 2021. Zhang failed to win the gold back from Namajunas in a rematch 12 months ago, but the Chinese star got back to winning ways in June by knocking out strawweight legend Joanna Jedrzejczyk in stunning fashion.
UFC 281 LIVE
It’s time for the co-main event! Carla Esparza defends the women’s strawweight title against former champion Zhang Weili.
UFC 281 LIVE
What a fight and what a performance from Poirier.
Chandler’s stock hardly takes a hit there, but Poirier re-establishes himself at the top of the division.
UFC 281 LIVE
Dustin Poirier def. Michael Chandler via third-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:00).
UFC 281 LIVE
Poirier vs Chandler – Round 3
Final round! Poirier kicks low. He switches stances. Chandler kicks to the body then lifts Poirier and takes him down!
Poirier reverses the position as he hits the mat, though, and starts to pour on strikes! Now he takes Chandler’s back! Wow!
Rear naked choke is locked in... CHANDLER TAPS!
UFC 281 LIVE
It could be 19-19 after two rounds, or even 19-18 to Chandler.
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