Israel Adesanya Is No Longer the UFC Middleweight Champion After 3 Years

By: Shreya Jha Image Credit: UFC

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya losses his belt to his old rival Alex Pereira at the UFC 281.

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[{"selector":"#anim-c2bb8764-489e-4d77-9922-f29d272d757a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-24.988313223009705%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Adesanya got knocked down by Pereira in the final round, in a fight where Adesanya had the upper hand for most of the first four rounds.

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Pereira and Adesanya faced each other twice in their kickboxing days when the Brazillian came on top on both occasions.

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[{"selector":"#anim-aceab529-62eb-4631-a32a-4a9d0a38a936 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(11.703992966242755%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Alex Pereira has become a UFC champion for the first time in his career. He is the third new male champion this year, alongside Leon Edwards in the welterweight and Islam Makhachev in the lightweight.

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Israel Adesanya Is No Longer the UFC Middleweight Champion After 3 Years

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya losses his belt to his old rival Alex Pereira at the UFC 281.

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