UFC 276: Israel Adesanya sets up Alex Pereira rematch with decision win over Jared Cannonier
- Adesanya defends middleweight title with a tactical unanimous decision victory in Las Vegas main event
- Next title shot will most likely go to Brazilian kickboxer Alex Pereira, who knocked out Sean Strickland earlier on the main card
Israel Adesanya is still the UFC middleweight champion – but now faces a looming showdown against his great nemesis, Alex Pereira
The Nigerian-born New Zealander returned to the Octagon in the main event of the stacked UFC 276 card on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, taking on American knockout artist Jared Cannonier.
It was not the most dazzling performance of his career, but the champion ultimately defended his title with a workmanlike unanimous decision.
Watching cage-side was Brazilian knockout artist Pereira – who remains the only man to knock “The Last Stylebender” out, in their Glory Kickboxing days, and who flattened No 4-ranked Sean Strickland earlier in the evening at T-Mobile Arena.
“They had an excellent game plan,” Adesanya said in his post-fight interview with commentator Joe Rogan, tipping his hat to Cannonier and his team. “It was really hard to get my follow-ups going.”