A spectacular second-round knockout was all Israel Adesanya needed to defeat his long-time nemesis Alex Pereira and exorcise a demon.
On Sunday, on his fourth attempt, Adesanya, fondly known as The Last Stylebender, finally got his win over Pereira, and in stunning fashion with a knockout at minute 4:21 of Round 2.
At the end of the fight, Adesanya said he was “playing possum” against the fence, waiting for a moment to strike.
And when he struck, did he strike. It was a clean right hook from nowhere, and it stunned Pereira still. The next shot was another right hook to put down Pereira.
Adesanya described his victory over Alex Pereira as sweet revenge.
He has been in the shadows of the Brazilian since 2017 when they first met in kickboxing.
But one fierce punch from Izzy’s right hand put out Pereira’s lights and handed the belt back to the Nigerian.
Just before the decisive punch, it was looking like it was going to be a repeat of November when Pereira had Adesanya boxed into a corner, sending head kicks and body shots.
Adesanya’s response came out of the blues and caught Pereira unaware, putting him to sleep just like it was for the Nigerian during their meeting in kick-boxing
“This is a sweet sweet victory and you know I have a sweet tooth. The hunter is now the hunted”, Adesanya said during his post-fight interview inside the octagon.
Watch the moment Adesanya knocked out Pereira below;
Wow ISRAEL ADESANYA just slept Alex ..I can't believe what I just saw pic.twitter.com/ye8SYkBxbU
— Troydan (@Troydan) April 9, 2023
