It’s hard to imagine what losing your UFC title to a bitter rival feels like. While most MMA fans know the full story by now, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defeated former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya twice in professional kickboxing, then hunted him down in the UFC and scored a fifth-round TKO to steal the title out from under him. Safe to say, that didn’t feel good.
WATCH: Israel Adesanya’s Octagon Interview At UFC 287
However, all that defeat makes for a more poignant story when Adesanya finally earned redemption at UFC 287. Pereira entered their rematch with the confidence of a reigning UFC champion and three wins over Adesanya already behind him. While Adesanya was by no means out of the fight, Pereira looked sharper and more in control than in their previous encounter, which he still won. As Pereira began finding his rhythm late in the second round, pushing Adesanya back against the fence, “The Last Stylebender” unleashed two right hands that sent Pereira crashing to the canvas. Regardless of your feelings toward either gentleman, this was a shocking knockout and a powerful moment for Adesanya, who conquered a mountain only he believed he could.