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
Riddell’s pro record is 10-3; Brazilian Moicano’s is 16-5-1.
UFC 281 LIVE
One more prelim bout to go: Brad Riddell faces Renato Moicano at lightweight.
New Zealander Riddell is a compatriot and teammate of Israel Adesanya, who defends the middleweight title in tonight’s main event.
In fact, four City Kickboxing fighters are in action this evening: Adesanya, Riddell, Dan Hooker, and Carlos Ulberg – the latter having already won via first-round knockout tonight.
UFC 281 LIVE
A few years ago, Reyes was narrowly outpointed by then-champion Jon Jones in a fight that many believe Reyes won.
Since coming up short against the light heavyweight ‘GOAT’, Reyes’ career has really taken a turn for the worse; he’s been knocked out three times in a row.
UFC 281 LIVE
Ryan Spann def. Dominick Reyes via first-round knockout (punch, 1:20).
UFC 281 LIVE
Reyes vs Spann – Round 1
OH, MY! A chaotic start gives way to a brutal knockout!
Reyes eats a short, sharp jab and it’s enough to put him out cold!
He’s also grazed by a right hand on the way down.
What a win for Spann.
UFC 281 LIVE
Here we go! Can Spann enter the top 10 at 205lbs? He’ll likely climb from 12th if he can beat No 7 Reyes.
UFC 281 LIVE
Next up, former title challenger Dominick Reyes faces Ryan Spann at light heavyweight.
UFC 281 LIVE
Blanchfield is just 23. What a performance from the youngster.
UFC 281 LIVE
Erin Blanchfield def. Molly McCann via first-round submission (Kimura, 3:37).
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