For combat sports enthusiasts all across the world, UFC 287 was a night to remember. The evening was jam-packed with exhilarating moments and explosive action, from the undercard to the main event. Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira‘s main contest, though, was what really stole the show.

Adesanya and Pereira had previously faced off, with Pereira winning their initial mixed martial arts match at UFC 281. Since then, Adesanya had been seeking retribution, and at UFC 287, he finally received his chance. From the first bell, the two competitors engaged in combat, with Adesanya attempting to balance out Pereira‘s strength with his speed and accuracy.

‘Stylebender’ conveyed a message to his adversary after the fight.

Israel Adesanya sends a post-fight message to Alex Pereira

The first round was hotly contested. Both combatants delivered some powerful blows. But Adesanya discovered his opportunity in the second round. With Pereira looking to land a big shot, Adesanya landed a devastating right that sent Pereira crashing to the mat. The referee quickly waved off the fight, and Adesanya was once again the middleweight champion.

In the post-fight interview, Adesanya showed the class and sportsmanship that has become his trademark. “No matter what, Alex is a great champion. He lost the belt tonight, but he will always be a champion”, Adesanya said. He praised Pereira as a great champion and acknowledged that in Pereira‘s story, he was the bad guy.

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However, Adesanya was quick to point out that on this night, he was the one who came out on top. He had written his own story and made his own history by reclaiming the belt that he had lost to Pereira. “In his story, I’m the antagonist. In his story, I’m the bad guy. But tonight, it’s my story. History.”

The kickboxer had to wait a long time to fulfill his dream of emerging triumphant over the Brazilian.

Adesanya gets his first win against Pereira

Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have faced each other 4 times in total. 2 of those fights were in the kickboxing ring, and the more recent two were in the UFC ring. Pereira won the first fight via decision and the second by KO.

The third fight (the first under MMA rules) saw Pereira TKO Adesanya win the UFC middleweight belt. Finally, at UFC 287, Adesanya booked his first-ever victory against Pereira via KO in the second round. After the fight, Dana White announced Alex Pereira‘s move up to the light heavyweight division. One of the main reasons for this move was the difficulty that Alex Pereira faced while cutting weight.

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Fans will remember UFC 287 for a long time. It was a night of incredible fights and unforgettable moments. And for Israel Adesanya, it was a night where he proved that he was truly one of the best fighters in the world. What did you make of Adesanya’s post fight comments? Let us know your thoughts below.