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
Hooker vs Puelles – Round 1
Puelles starts in a southpaw stance. Hooker flicks out a few inside leg kicks early on.
Puelles blocks a head kick before eating another leg kick. He checks the next one.
Hooker tries a front kick to the body but is just out of range. He’s the fighter pressing forward, but in measured fashion.
Puelles with an Imanari roll to drag down Hooker! He goes for a leg lock, but Hooker reverses the effort into a body triangle on the mat...
Hooker fires off a couple of punches, but he needs to focus on his leg! Puelles has extended it!
Hooker stays calm and is eventually able to get free and stand! Puelles fails with a second Imanari roll attempt, then he’s cracked with a right cross.
UFC 281 LIVE
Hooker’s City Kickboxing teammate Carlos Ulberg won via first-round knockout earlier tonight, before Brad Riddell lost via first-round submission.
Can Hooker get his team back in the winning column ahead of Adesanya’s fight?
Let’s find out!
UFC 281 LIVE
Hooker (21-12) is 1-4 in his last five, and his last outing was a return to featherweight as he lost to Arnold Allen on the Briton’s home turf in London this March.
UFC 281 LIVE
Puelles (12-2) has won five fights in a row, including three by submission.
UFC 281 LIVE
The main card opens with fan favourite Dan Hooker, a teammate of Israel Adesanya, taking on Claudio Puelles at lightweight!
UFC 281 LIVE
Here’s how the main card looks:
Israel Adesanya (C) vs Alex Pereira (middleweight title)
Carla Esparza (C) vs Weili Zhang (women’s strawweight title)
Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler (lightweight)
Frankie Edgar vs Chris Gutierrez (bantamweight)
Dan Hooker vs Claudio Puelles (lightweight)
UFC 281 LIVE
Renato Moicano def. Brad Riddell via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 3:20).
UFC 281 LIVE
Riddell vs Moicano – Round 1
Moicano presses forward early and stings Riddell with a jab, then lands a knee to the body.
He grazes Riddell with a head kick, before connecting with another sharp jab. Riddell clinches the Brazilian against the fence.
The lightweights don’t stay there for long. Riddell is already sporting some blood – either from his nose or a cut just to the side of it.
More jabs are on point for Moicano, who then trips Riddell and takes his back swiftly!
The jiu-jitsu specialist is working on a rear naked choke... and gets the tap! Moicano wins!
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