Adesanya defeats Pereira with a spectacular knockout at UFC 287, seeking vindication.

After several attempts, Israel Adesanya finally reclaimed his middleweight title by knocking out long-time rival Alex Pereira in the second round of their fight at UFC 287. Pereira had Adesanya against the cage and in trouble after landing a series of kicks to his vulnerable lead leg. However, Adesanya absorbed the blows and responded with a right hook that shook Pereira, followed by a right-left combination that sent the Brazilian crashing to the canvas, and finished with hammer fists to end the fight. This was Adesanya’s fourth attempt at defeating Pereira after suffering a controversial points loss in their first kickboxing match and being knocked out in their second fight. Speaking after the fight, Adesanya said he “played possum” to draw Pereira in before unleashing the knockout hook. Commentators described it as one of the greatest KOs in UFC history. Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Jorge Masvidal lost on points and retired from MMA after the fight. The event was attended by former US president Donald Trump, Mike Tyson, and UFC president Dana White.