UFC 281 isn’t just any old title fight, because what Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira share isn’t just any old rivalry. This fight goes back. This one goes back.
E. Casey Leydon and Shaun Al-Shatti, both from MMA Fighting, tell us the tale of the UFC’s unique rivalry. You can watch it above.
Footage courtesy of Glory Kickboxing and Alex Pereira.
UFC 281 takes place Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Adesanya will defend his UFC Middleweight title for sixth time with Pereira’s trilogy bout in the main event. Pereira, a former champion of Glory Kickboxing’s two divisions, defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing. He also beat Adesanya in the third round in 2017, which is still considered to be Adesanya’s only defeat in combat sports.
Pereira is 3-0 in the UFC and earned his title shot with a first-round knockout of Sean Strickland this past July.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/11/8/23446341/ufc-281-the-chase-a-closer-look-into-heated-rivalry-between-israel-adesanya-vs-alex-pereira?rand=96749
