UFC 287: Adesanya knocks out Pereira to get revenge, title back

Israel Adesanya has claimed sweet revenge with a brutal knockout win over Alex Pereira in their rematch at UFC 287.

Pereira beat Adesanya in November to dethrone the middleweight champion but he was determined to take back his belt in Pereira’s first title defence.

The pair traded calf kicks in the opening round in Miami, a tactic that worked well for Pereira last year.

But Adesanya had a steely look in his eyes and he had an answer for Pereira as the tempo lifted in the second round.

The Brazilian landed a jab but just as it looked like he had the upper hand, Adesanya hit back with two huge punches that immediately floored Pereira.

Adesanya jumped on top and landed a hammer fist to seal victory via TKO in the second round.

This win was extra special for Adesanya. He let out a visceral scream and celebrated by pretending to shoot bow and arrows at Pereira’s limp body.

“That last one (punch) had everything, since 2017,” Adesanya said, referencing his second kickboxing loss to Pereira.

He then delivered the ice cold line: “That last hammer fist was from the gods.”

UFC commentator Jon Anik said Pereira was “knocked out cold”.

The win takes Adesanya’s MMA record to 24-2 and cements his legacy as one of the greatest UFC fighters ever.