Nigeria UFC Star Israel Adesanya Hopes to Inflict Much Damage on Brazilian Opponent Who Beat Him in Kickboxing

Nigeria UFC Star Israel Adesanya Hopes to Inflict Much Damage on Brazilian Opponent Who Beat Him in Kickboxing

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:16 PM
  • Israel Adesanya does not rate his next opponent in UFC 281 highly, as the Nigerian feels Alex Pereira is not a match for him
  • Adesanya will defend his UFC middleweight belt in the main event of UFC 281 against the Brazilian who defeated him twice in kickboxing
  • UFC 281 takes place on Saturday, November 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York in the United States of America

Israel Adesanya is hoping to exact revenge on Alex Pereira, when both MMA stars clash at Madison Square Garden in the main event of UFC 281.

Adesanya will be defending his UFC middleweight belt against the Brazilian who has an impeccable record against the Nigerian, after defeating him twice in kickboxing.

Israel Adesanya, UFC, MMA, Nigeria, Alex Pereira, Brazil, New York, Madison Square Garden
Nigeria UFC star Israel Adesanya says he’s only focused on beating Alex Pereira on November 12 at the Madison Square Garden. Photo by Jeff Bottari.
Source: Getty Images

According to MMA Junkie, Adesanya now hopes to inflict as much pain on Pereira as possible, while also revealing the reason for his kickboxing losses to the Brazilian.

“That was me not staying true to my style. I know how to touch this guy badly. I know how to vary my attacks and I know how to fight properly. I might just jab and leg-kick him.”

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Adesanya is undefeated in his career at middleweight. The Nigerian has won three straight since falling in a light heavyweight title bout to Jan Blachowicz in March 2021.

Adesanya: Pereira fight a must-win

Meanwhile, UFC middleweight champion Adesanya sees his next title defence at UFC 281 against his greatest rival Alex Pereira as a fight he must win, Punch reports.

Adesanya owns five successful title defenses at middleweight, holding the undisputed title since October 2019, but will now square up against Pereira for his sixth title defence.

Pereira is coming off a first-round knockout of Sean Strickland at UFC 276 last month, with the Brazilian slugger having five finishes in six career pro MMA victories since coming over from kickboxing.

Adesanya defends at UFC 276

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya defended his belt against Jared Cannonier at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

The Nigerian-New Zealander fought expertly to win the match with a unanimous decision after five rounds, remaining undefeated.

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski continued his domination of Max Holloway over five rounds, defeating him for the third time in a row via a unanimous decision.

Authors
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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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