Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya better known as the “Last Stylebender” has reclaimed the UFC middleweight title after he defeated champion Alex Pereira in a knock out win at UFC 287 in Miami early Sunday morning.
Recall that this win is a bounce back after losing his UFC middleweight title to the Brazilian Pereira in their fight last Novemeber.
The Nigerian was also defeated twice by Pereira in kickboxing, losing a controversial decision to his bitter rival in their 2016 meeting before being brutally knocked out by him in their rematch the following year.
The Brazilian began the fight with a slew of leg kicks while Adesanya made up with fierce jabs in an electrifying first round.
He tried to close out Adesanya in the second with his leg kicks gaining force before landing a few body hooks on Adesanya’s ribs.
Meanwhile, Adesanya took to Pereira’s face and followed up with another swipe to floor the Brazilian at 4:32 in Round 2 of the title clash.