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Loses title in devistating fashion
Adesanya lost to Alex Pereira via KO/TKO (punches) at 2:01 of Round 5 at UFC 281 on Saturday in New York.
ANALYSIS
This one will likely sting for a bit, as Adesanya had used his counter-striking and grappling to build a comfortable lead heading into Round 5. "The Last Stylebender" got a bit too comfortable backing himself against the cage, however, and Pereira was able to flood the zone with strikes after catching Izzy with a left hook. Adesanya did several things well in this bout, including nearly finish his opponent before the horn sounded in Round 1, but he simply gave Periera too many opportunities to find his groove. There is no doubt Adesanya will be gearing up for a rematch, as the history between these two and the stunning way this one ended will be enough to capture the imagination of fans yet again. Adesanya falls to 23-2-0 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
This one will likely sting for a bit, as Adesanya had used his counter-striking and grappling to build a comfortable lead heading into Round 5. "The Last Stylebender" got a bit too comfortable backing himself against the cage, however, and Pereira was able to flood the zone with strikes after catching Izzy with a left hook. Adesanya did several things well in this bout, including nearly finish his opponent before the horn sounded in Round 1, but he simply gave Periera too many opportunities to find his groove. There is no doubt Adesanya will be gearing up for a rematch, as the history between these two and the stunning way this one ended will be enough to capture the imagination of fans yet again. Adesanya falls to 23-2-0 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Looks to defend title
Adesanya is scheduled to fight Alex Pereira for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 281 on Nov. 12, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Adesanya will try to defend his UFC Middleweight title for a seventh straight time when he faces the up-and-coming Pereira. The two have previously met twice under kickboxing rules, where Pereira won first via decision and a year later via knockout. Adesanya hasn't tasted defeat since losing to Jan Blachowicz at light heavyweight, but he's undefeated as a pro at middleweight. Pereira has won each of his first three UFC fights since signing with the promotion in November of 2021.
Adesanya will try to defend his UFC Middleweight title for a seventh straight time when he faces the up-and-coming Pereira. The two have previously met twice under kickboxing rules, where Pereira won first via decision and a year later via knockout. Adesanya hasn't tasted defeat since losing to Jan Blachowicz at light heavyweight, but he's undefeated as a pro at middleweight. Pereira has won each of his first three UFC fights since signing with the promotion in November of 2021.
Cruises past Jared Cannonier
Adesanya retained his UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) at UFC 276 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was another dominant, if perhaps slightly underwhelming performance from Adesanya. Entering as roughly a -500 favorite, Adesanya had no issues dissecting Cannonier on the feet. He never had Jared in any significantly trouble, but Adesanya absorbed no real damage, either. Izzy's length and technical striking skills have been too much for any opponent at 185 pounds to overcome at this point. Perhaps that will change in his next title defense. Alex Pereira -- who crushed Sean Strickland via first-round knockout earlier in the evening -- is going to be next barring something unforeseen. Izzy and Pereira fought twice in the world of kickboxing, with Alex winning both times, first via unanimous decision, and then via knockout. The early Vegas line has Adesanya as a -200 favorite, which if that holds, would be the lowest number since his second-round knockout win over Paulo Costa at UFC 253 in September 2020.
It was another dominant, if perhaps slightly underwhelming performance from Adesanya. Entering as roughly a -500 favorite, Adesanya had no issues dissecting Cannonier on the feet. He never had Jared in any significantly trouble, but Adesanya absorbed no real damage, either. Izzy's length and technical striking skills have been too much for any opponent at 185 pounds to overcome at this point. Perhaps that will change in his next title defense. Alex Pereira -- who crushed Sean Strickland via first-round knockout earlier in the evening -- is going to be next barring something unforeseen. Izzy and Pereira fought twice in the world of kickboxing, with Alex winning both times, first via unanimous decision, and then via knockout. The early Vegas line has Adesanya as a -200 favorite, which if that holds, would be the lowest number since his second-round knockout win over Paulo Costa at UFC 253 in September 2020.
Huge favorite in fifth title defense
Adesanya is approximately a (-450) betting favorite for his middleweight title defense against Jared Cannonier at UFC 276 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Adesanya has yet to lose a fight at middleweight since gaining the belt in April of 2019, and he's even solidified his status recently by defeating former champion Robert Whittaker for a second time back in February. His weight cuts seem almost easy, and his cardio has never before let him down. Adesanya is a kickboxer by trade and only uses wrestling in a defensive manner, so a matchup against Cannonier -- who prefers to stand and trade as well -- seems almost perfect. Adesanya will also enter with five-inch height and three-inch reach advantages. Cannonier does have fight-ending power in his hands, but Adesanya has given fight fans no reason to question his chin so far -- even former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz couldn't finish the job in their five-round fight back in 2021.
Adesanya has yet to lose a fight at middleweight since gaining the belt in April of 2019, and he's even solidified his status recently by defeating former champion Robert Whittaker for a second time back in February. His weight cuts seem almost easy, and his cardio has never before let him down. Adesanya is a kickboxer by trade and only uses wrestling in a defensive manner, so a matchup against Cannonier -- who prefers to stand and trade as well -- seems almost perfect. Adesanya will also enter with five-inch height and three-inch reach advantages. Cannonier does have fight-ending power in his hands, but Adesanya has given fight fans no reason to question his chin so far -- even former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz couldn't finish the job in their five-round fight back in 2021.
Fighting Cannonier at UFC 276
Adesanya will fight Jared Cannonier for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 276 on July 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The middleweight champion is set to fight for the first time since defeating Robert Whittaker via unanimous decision at UFC 271 on Feb. 12. Adesanya is currently 21-1-0 in MMA matchups. Moreover, Cannonier's last fight was also at UFC 271 where he defeated Derek Brunson. The victory improved his fighting record to 15-5-0.
The middleweight champion is set to fight for the first time since defeating Robert Whittaker via unanimous decision at UFC 271 on Feb. 12. Adesanya is currently 21-1-0 in MMA matchups. Moreover, Cannonier's last fight was also at UFC 271 where he defeated Derek Brunson. The victory improved his fighting record to 15-5-0.