Printed on 13 Nov 2022 7:09 am (UK Time)
In simply his fourth combat within the UFC Alex Pereira has turn into the group’s new middleweight champion. So as to take action, he was pressured to undergo Israel Adesanya, a person who had not misplaced within the middleweight division and who had efficiently defended his title 5 consecutive occasions. Nevertheless, Pereira’s legendary punching energy proved to be the distinction when it was all mentioned and carried out. Total, UFC 281 was an thrilling occasion crammed with many memorable moments. There’s so much to unpack right here; with out additional ado, let’s get into it!
Adesanya vs. Pereira
Within the opening spherical, Pereira started relying closely on the calf kicks and physique kicks that helped him turn into a two division champion in Glory Kickboxing. Finally, Adesanya properly put Pereira in a physique lock and commenced to tire him out. Adesanya completed the spherical by touchdown an enormous overhand proper that clearly shocked Pereira and compelled him to wobble again to his nook.
Pereira dominated the second spherical. He began by touchdown well-timed left jabs that Adesanya couldn’t keep away from. Later, he utilized his ft and landed a left-footed head kick that made a visual influence. Simply earlier than the bell, Pereira scored a takedown that served because the exclamation level to an important stanza of the combat.
Early in spherical one, Adesanya scored a takedown. Though it appears unattainable, this was truly the primary takedown scored of Adesanya’s tenure on the UFC’s roster. The Final Stylebender has been so elite at putting that he hasn’t needed to execute a profitable takedown till his try at a sixth title protection; that’s actually an incredible statistic. Adesanya used a floor and pound assault for a number of phases of the spherical and dominated the interval with an immense quantity of floor management time.
In spherical 4, Pereira was clearly exhausted. He was not used to combating previous three rounds and he was not ready for Adesanya’s technique of grappling. Heading into spherical 5, it appeared that Adesanya was comfortably forward on the scorecards and he would cruise to a different profitable title protection. Early in spherical 5, Pereira checked Adesanya’s tried leg kick. This damage Adesanya and he started to stumble. Pereira seized the second and unleashed a barrage of punches that rendered Adesanya defenseless. The referee was left with no alternative however to cease the combat.
This combat instantly jogged my memory of UFC 278 when Leon Edwards shocked Kamaru Usman within the fifth and remaining spherical. Like Adesanya, Usman seemed to be headed in the direction of a profitable title protection till his fortunes modified within the final interval. Adesanya fought admirably however Pereira’s punching energy clearly damage him particularly within the remaining spherical. Alex Pereira could also be comparatively new to blended martial arts however his dedication to the game has already made him a champion. The way forward for the middleweight division simply turned very attention-grabbing to say the least!
Esparza vs. Zhang
Carla Esparza entered the primary title protection of her second reign as champion with a stoic look on her face. Weili Zhang, her challenger selected to heat up within the ring throughout the introductions. Although their pre-fight approaches had been utterly reverse, it was clear from the opening bell that each girls got here to combat.
Esparza tried to make use of feints and jabs to set the tone early in spherical one. Nevertheless, Zhang determined to use strain to nullify this tactic. She scored two takedowns within the first spherical and compelled Esparza to scramble to keep away from a rear bare chokehold submission. In spherical two, Esparza tried a takedown of her personal however Zhang used a superb maneuver to determine an anaconda choke. This time Esparza was not capable of escape and had no alternative however to faucet out.
With this victory, Weili Zhang has regained the ladies’s strawweight title. Most pundits thought-about her the very best fighter within the division earlier than the combat; now they will add the moniker champion once they describe the strengths she brings to the octagon!
Poirier vs. Chandler
Light-weight contenders Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler held nothing again from the very starting of spherical one. Chandler started the spherical by touchdown repeatedly with the suitable jab and placing Poirier on his heels. He adopted that with two huge takedowns that gave him sole possession of the combat’s momentum. Nevertheless, Poirier discovered the energy to combat on and landed a barrage of punches and elbows within the remaining minute of the spherical that shocked Chandler and let him know his opponent wouldn’t go away quietly.
Chandler scored one other big takedown within the first 30 seconds of spherical two. By this level, his nostril was badly bleeding from the punches Poirier landed on the finish of the primary spherical. Total, he dominated the spherical via floor management time. At the start of spherical three, Chandler scored one more takedown. This time, nevertheless, Poirier was capable of maneuver out of his grasp and set up a rear bare chokehold. The grip was too tight to flee and Chandler was left with no alternative however to faucet out.
Heading into spherical three, it regarded like Poirier wanted a stoppage with a view to win. That’s precisely what he was capable of obtain. The very best fighters know it’s best to take the choice out of the judges’ arms each time potential. Together with his well-timed chokehold, Dustin Poirier was capable of snatch victory from the jaws of defeat!
Edgar vs. Gutierrez
41-year-old bantamweight Frankie Edgar vowed that this is able to be his final combat, win, lose or draw. Rising prospect Chris Gutierrez seized the second and carried out properly in entrance of a offered out crowd at Madison Sq. Backyard. Gutierrez began with a spinning backfist that landed squarely on Edgar face. He adopted that with a flying left knee that knocked Edgar out on influence! It was an anticlimactic method to finish a profession for Edgar; then again, it was an thrilling win for Gutierrez who continues his rise within the bantamweight division.
Hooker vs. Puelles
Light-weight division veteran Dan Hooker began his bout towards Claudio Puelles by making nice use of calf kicks. Two minutes into the combat, he modified his technique and scored a takedown. Nevertheless, Claudio Puelles seized the chance and tried to safe a heel lock. Hooker finally squeezed out of it however Puelles was capable of management the spherical via floor management time.
Hooker unleashed a barrage of punches within the first minute of spherical two. Puelles responded with two takedown makes an attempt however neither was profitable. Hooker then landed a right-footed entrance kick to Puelles’ left rib cage. The influence knocked him to the mat and damage him too badly for him to proceed. The referee noticed that Puelles might not combat again and mercifully stopped the combat. Dan Hooker will not be at the moment ranked within the light-weight division, however tonight’s victory ought to change that when the brand new divisional rankings are launched early subsequent week!
Main Takeaways
Alex Pereira is a superb kickboxer who’s attempting to turn into a blended martial artist. He’s clearly missing in grappling abilities and he was exhausted by the start of spherical 4. All of that’s true and but he nonetheless discovered a method to win tonight. That spells bother for the remainder of the division. The brand new champion is just getting higher and might be very troublesome to dethrone!
What’s Subsequent
The UFC returns subsequent week with one other version of Combat Night time from The Apex Heart in Las Vegas. The primary occasion of the night will function heavyweight veterans Derrick Lewis and Sergey Spivak in a battle that completely nobody expects to go the space! As all the time, we’ll have all the most recent updates concerning the outcomes of the fights, in addition to in depth evaluation out there proper right here at World in Sport!
Till subsequent time, care for yourselves, and one another.
