Israel Adesanya puts his UFC middleweight title on the line against Alex Pereira on Sunday at UFC 281.
Remarkably, Pereira has beaten the Kiwi champ not once, but twice previously, albeit in a different discipline of combat sports.
The Brazilian out-pointed Adesanya to win via unanimous decision in 2016 before Pereira secured a win via knockout in 2017 with a vicious left hook.
A lot has happened in the five years between, as Adesanya embarked on a dazzling run in the UFC and is unbeaten at middleweight, with his only loss in the promotion coming against Jan Blachowicz when he moved up to light heavyweight to take on the Pole.
As for Pereira, he has just seven fights as a mixed martial artist and holds a record of 6-1 (5 KO).
His only loss came in his first MMA fight when he was submitted by Quemuel Ottoni in 2015, but since joining the UFC in 2021, he has three impressive wins and two Performance of the Night bonuses to boot.
It promises to be an absolute barnburner, and so too does the co-main event as Carla Esparza puts her UFC strawweight title on the line against Zhang Weili.
Fans are also licking their lips at the lightweight contest between Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, with the winner set to catapult themselves into the conversation for a shot at Islam Makhachev’s title.
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HOW TO WATCH
Australian fight fans can watch all the action from UFC 281 by ordering the event on Main Event and Kayo.
You can also watch the UFC 281 prelims on ESPN and Kayo.
Watch UFC 281: Adesanya v Pereira LIVE on Main Event available on Foxtel & Kayo Sports, Sunday 13 November from 2pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
WHEN DOES IT START?
The UFC 281 Prelims on ESPN and Kayo kick off on Sunday November 13 at 12pm AEDT. The main card for UFC 281 is scheduled to begin at 2pm AEDT.
MAIN CARD
Israel Adesanya (c) (185) vs. Alex Pereira (184.6) for the UFC middleweight title
Carla Esparza (c) (114.8) vs. Zhang Weili (114.8) for the UFC strawweight title
Dustin Poirier (156) vs. Michael Chandler (155.8); Lightweights
Frankie Edgar (135.6) vs. Chris Gutierrez (136); bantamweights
Dan Hooker (155.8) vs. Claudio Puelles (155.2); Lightweights
PRELIMS
Brad Riddell (155.6) vs. Renato Moicano (155.8); Lightweights
Dominick Reyes (205.4) vs. Ryan Spann (206.6); Light Heavyweights
Molly McCann (125.4) vs. Erin Blanchfield (125); Flyweights
Andre Petroski (185.8) vs. Wellington Turman (185.2); Middleweights
FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
Matt Frevola (154.8) vs. Ottman Azaitar (155.6); Lightweights
Michael Trizano (147.6) vs. Choi Seung-woo (145.6); Featherweights
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (115.6) vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez (115.6); Strawweights
Julio Arce (135.8) vs. Montel Jackson (135.8); Bantamweights
Carlos Ulberg (205.2) vs. Nicolae Negumereanu (206); Light Heavyweights
