Israel Adesanya showed championship caliber after going against his biggest nemesis in combat sports. At UFC 281, the middleweight champion of the UFC stood across from a man who beat him twice. And the third time was no different.

Official Decision: Alex Pereira wins via KO (Round 5, 2:01).

The fight played like everybody expected, with both fighters taking a measured approach in the first round. The challenger did not look out of the water on the feet like fighters prior who have competed against the champion before. However, at the end of the first, the Kiwi kickboxer landed a precise shot that rocked Pereira.

The Brazilian came back strong in the second round and labeled the contest. However, ‘The Last Stylebender’ took control of the fight with a takedown and won the third and fourth rounds. The fight seemed done going into the fifth as Po Atan looked tired.

Pereira getting slower and slower gave some sense of relief to the champion, Israel Adesanya. And against a striker like the former two-division Glory kickboxer, feeling comfortable caused the Kiwi fighter his title as native Brazilian – Pereira – put his ‘Hands of Stone’ on Adesanya’s chin. A brutal combination ended the fight.

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“Put his left hand in the Hall of Fame right now,” said UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik after the fight. Other sports fanatic also poured their emotions on social media.

Sports world reacts to UFC 281 main event & Adesanya’s loss

While this magnificent fight could get re-booked soon, considering Israel Adesanya’s insane resume, the challenger getting the UFC crown from the jaws of defeat got the fight fans’ attention.

“Boy, did he get tested,” said Joe Rogan while summing up the fight.

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A former rival of Adesanya, Yoel Romero, and other MMA personalities reacted to the incredible finish from Alex Pereira.

Israel Adesanya deserves a rematch, but as Pereira said before, the fight about whether he would want it or not is a question.

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What do you make of this main event fight between Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira? Share your views in the comments section below.