9th April, 2023
Nigeria-born Israel Adesanya has reclaimed UFC Middleweight championship title after a tough bout with Brazilian fighter, Alex Pereira.
‘The Last Stylebender’ had a difficult first round, taking several calf kicks, but it didn’t matter because he closed the show with powerful strikes in round two.
Pereira was caught with a massive overhand as he pushed his long-time rival against the fence. Adesanya followed up with another big strike that knocked the Brazilian out cold.
With no moves made, the referee was forced to call the game off.
Adesanya is the UFC’s first two-time middleweight champion.
Speaking after the battle, Adesanya faced the crowd and said, “Listen up! I need to say something, I hope every one of you behind the screens, on this arena, can feel this level of happiness just one time in your life. I hope all of you can feel how (bleep) happy I am, just one time.
“But guess what, you’d never feel this level of happiness if you don’t go for something. When they knock you down, when they try to (bleep) on you, when they talk about you, try to put their foot on your neck, if you stay down, you’d never ever get that resolve.
“Fortify your mind, and feel this level of happiness as you rise. One time in your life! I’m blessed to be able to feel this way again and again and again”