The Last Stylebender’ produced a brutal second-round knockout to seal a victory over the Brazilian fighter and take back the title that he lost in November last year.
It was the fourth time that the two middleweights had met, their second inside the octagon, and it was the first occasion in which Adesanya has come out on top.
And he did so in style, as he battled back from adversity to deliver the crushing blow mid-way through the second round.
The opening five minutes of the fight had been dominated by calf-kicks and jabs, mainly from Pereira, as both fighters tried to find their distance inside the octagon.
And, once that was determined, the fireworks began. Pereira looked as though he was taking the offensive inside the octagon, as he marched towards his rival.
The Brazilian landed a flurry of shots, including a heavy knee to the body, that had Adesanya with his back to the cage and fans fearing another defeat was coming.
But, ‘Stylebender’ quickly recovered, evaded an incoming shot from Pereira and returned with a brutal right-hand of his own that sent his rival stumbling.
