Israel Adesanya's spectacular come-from-behind victory at UFC 287 left fans and MMA aficionados in awe. The Nigerian-born New Zealander faced his long-time rival Alex Pereira in a much-anticipated matchup, as the duo had faced each other three times prior in kickboxing and MMA bouts.
After a challenging first round that saw him absorb several calf kicks, Adesanya returned stronger and in spectacular fashion ended the bout with a huge overhand that put Pereira on the mat and out cold. Referee Dan Mirgliotta had to intervene, leaving Adesanya to become the two-time UFC middleweight champion.
This win comes as an incredible achievement, as it is redemption from Adesanya’s heartbreaking defeat at UFC 281 where he was knocked out in the fifth round, while Pereira also defeated him via controversial unanimous decision the year prior in a kickboxing bout.
Adesanya said post-fight: “I told him before, ‘Thank you for all that you’ve done. Thank you for beating me because [by] beating me he made me a better fighter, a better person.’
“In this camp, I didn’t f*** around. If you know me, you know I like a vacation but I didn’t f*** around, I stayed on the grind.
“I’ve been putting myself through it, you can see it on FREESTYLEBENDER on YouTube. I don’t put my highlights on [Instagram], I put in work.
Israel Adesanya has been truly impressive, showcasing that it’s never too late to rise again. He continues to cement his legacy in the MMA scene, making this victory the perfect reward for an admirable fighter and fierce champion.
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