In what could be his biggest fight to date, reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya ( 23-1 ) will meet former kickboxing nemesis Alex Pereira (6-1 in MMA) in the main event of UFC 281 scheduled for Saturday, 12th November at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.
He who laughs last, laughs best: Israel Adesanya
Adesanya will be looking to avenge his two kickboxing losses to the former GLORY champion, where he was even knocked out in the rematch. ‘Poatan’ enjoyed a rapid rise in MMA and earned a title shot by knocking out Sean Strickland with his trademark left hook at UFC 276 – the same night Adesanya retained his title against Jared Cannonier.
Many consider Pereira to be Adesanya’s boogeyman, but ‘The Last Stylebender’ welcomes all skeptics and critics. Ahead of his sixth title defense, Adesanya unveiled a trailer for the Pereira fight that will easily get the fans pumped up.
Check out the full trailer in the video below:
“When I fought him, I thought I won the first fight,” said Adesanya. “In the second fight, he was honestly on skates. The referee saved his ass because I was about to drop him. And then in the third round, he knocks me out in his own country. That’s a beautiful story for him, but I’m still here. This is perfect for the storyline, leading up to everything.”
“I’m gonna shut this guy up,” Adesanya added, “I’m gonna shock the world. And he who laughs last, laughs best.” [H/T Bloody Elbow]
Upon the official announcement of his 6th upcoming title defense, “The Last Stylebender” took to Twitter to issue a fiery reaction.
“Vengeance is mine says the lord.” Adesanya tweeted on August 6th, “Brooooo I said the same thing too!! This ends here. Kill or be killed”
📖😈 #UFC281
“Vengeance is mine says the lord.”
Brooooo I said the same thing too!!
This ends here. Kill or be killed ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/apLQsg2ifJ— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) August 5, 2022
