Israel Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight title after a sensational second round knockout victory over rival Alex Pereira at UFC 287.
‘The Last Stylebender’ came into the fight after suffering a fifth round knockout defeat to the Brazilian back in November at UFC 281. It was the fourth time that the pair had met, their second inside the octagon, and it was the first occasion in which Adesanya has come out on top.
The first round saw Pereira utilise his sharp jab and deliver brutal calf-kicks, with both men trying to find their distance. In the second round, both men would start to push forward a little more. Midway through the round, the Brazilian landed a series of consecutive shots, including a brutal knee to the body, that had Adesanya on the ropes.
However, ‘Stylebender,’ out of nowhere landed a devastating right-hand that shocked Pereira. Soon after landing the first shot, Adesanya quickly landed another powerful right that sent the Brazilian to the canvas. The hammer fists followed and, quickly enough, the fight was waved away to give the City Kickboxing star the win.
But what’s next for Adesanya? And when will he next fight? Sportsmail provides all the answers below.
Israel Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight title after knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC 287
Adesanya showed some adversity after being hit with a lot of brutal calf-kicks in the first round
Who will Adesanya fight next?
Despite clearing out most of the middleweight division before losing to Pereira at UFC 281 back in November, it is fair to say that Adesanya is not short of options going forward.
ALEX PEREIRA
There may be few UFC fans that won’t want to see the trilogy, but the pair are currently 1-1 in an MMA setting. A trilogy fight in the octagon to truly settle the score makes a lot of sense.
However, speaking at the UFC 287 post-fight press conference, it would appear that Adesanya is not interested in a trilogy fight. ‘The Last Stylebender’ said: ‘I don’t keep score, I settle them, and now it’s settled.’
‘Now he’s got to do the hard yards if he wants to do that (the trilogy fight), but I don’t think he will,’ Adesanya added.
KHAMZAT CHIMAEV
Since making his UFC debut in 2020, Khamzat Chimaev has dominated every fight he’s been in. At 12-0, ‘Borz’ defeated Kevin Holland in his last fight at UFC 279.
On that night, Chimaev was originally scheduled to fight Nate Diaz – but would miss weight by 7.5 pounds.
With the undefeated star struggling to make welterweight, a move up to 185 makes a lot of sense.
A trilogy fight between Adesanya and Pereira may be on the cards with the series level at 1-1
Khamzat Chimaev is another name in contention for a fight with the middleweight champion
JAMAHAL HILL
Nowadays, it’s typical for champions to move up and down weight categories and become two-division title holders.
Jamahal Hill is currently the light-heavyweight champion after defeating Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 back in January.
Against Hill, ‘Stylenbender’ may be confident that he can get the job done as the fight the light-heavyweight champion is a good match-up stylistically for the middleweight champion.
JAN BLACHOWICZ
Another name who Adesanya might consider is the former light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.
‘The Last Stylebender’ has lost twice in his career so far. After avenging his defeat to Pereira last night, Adesanya may want to face Blachowicz for a second time.
Rather than the fight taking place at 205-pounds, Blachowicz took to Twitter the reveal that he will cut down to middleweight. The Polishman tweeted: ‘Congratulations on a successful rematch, @stylebender. If you want to try another one, you know where to find me. This time at middleweight for your belt’.
Should Adesanya move up a division, Jamahal Hill is the current light-heavyweight champion
Jan Blachowicz took to Twitter last night and called for a rematch with ‘The Last Stylebender’
When did Adesanya fight Blachowicz?
Should Adesanya fight Blachowicz next, it will be the second time that the pair have met in their careers.
The first fight came at UFC 259 back in November 2021.
‘Stylebender’ came into the fight off the back of a dominant performance against Paulo Costa at UFC 253.
Jan Blachowicz (L) defeated Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 back in March 2021
With Adesanya short of options at 185, the middleweight king decided to move up a division.
The fight against Adesanya was Blachowicz’s first title defence after he won the belt following his win against Dominick Reyes.
In the fight with Adesanya, the Polishman used his size to his advantage. The first few rounds were slow, but Blachowicz picked it up in the final two rounds.
Blachowicz landed two takedowns in the final two rounds, and would go on to win the fight via decision.
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