On April 8, 2023, Israel Adesanya delivered a spectacular knockout win over Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287 held at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The Nigerian-born New Zealand resident had lost to Pereira in their previous encounter in November 2022 at Madison Square Garden, where Pereira won by TKO in the fifth round. However, Adesanya redeemed himself in a spectacular fashion, winning the fight by knockout at 4 minutes and 21 seconds in the second round.
The win was a crucial one for Adesanya, who had previously held a record of 24 wins and two losses, with five title defenses. His defeat to Pereira in 2022 was a significant setback for him, but he came back stronger than ever to recapture the middleweight title in a dominant performance.
Throughout the fight, Adesanya’s striking was on point, landing several heavy shots on Pereira that had him wobbling in the early stages of the fight. Pereira, who is known for his power and striking ability, was unable to land any significant shots on Adesanya, who was clearly the more technically proficient fighter. Adesanya’s speed and footwork were also on full display, as he moved around the octagon with ease, frustrating Pereira and avoiding his strikes.
The knockout came in the second round when Adesanya caught Pereira with a beautiful left hook that sent him crashing to the canvas. Pereira was clearly dazed and unable to get back to his feet, prompting the referee to stop the fight and declare Adesanya the winner by knockout.
After the fight, Adesanya was understandably emotional, thanking his fans and team for their support throughout his journey. He also acknowledged Pereira’s skills as a fighter but made it clear that he was the better man on the night.
The win sets up Adesanya for a potential rematch with Pereira in the future, as well as other exciting matchups in the middleweight division. Fans and analysts alike will undoubtedly be eagerly anticipating his next move, as he looks to cement his place as one of the greatest middleweight fighters of all time.