Israel Adesanya suffered a devastating first defeat at middleweight to lose his belt to old kickboxing rival Alex Pereira in a classic UFC 281 showdown.
The Brazilian, in only his fifth fight in the organisation, looked on course to lose a decision before he plucked victory from the jaws of defeat and delivered a late TKO.
Madison Square Garden erupted as Marc Goddard stepped in to prevent any more punishment, some felt prematurely.
Pereira now has a win in MMA over Adesanya to go with his two triumphs in kickboxing before the pair changed sports.
Pereira, 35, connected a handful of consecutive, powerful strikes to Adesanya’s face, forcing the stoppage by referee.
“I feel very good, very happy. It was already written. God wanted me to be the champion,” Pereira told Joe Rogan in the postfight interview.
Heading into the contest, Pereira already had two wins over Adesanya in professional kickboxing, including a brutal knockout in 2017.
Following an epic bout and a shocking TKO in the final round, it’s likely not going to be the last time these two warriors face each others.
See video below
AND NEW ALEX PEREIRA KNOCKS OUT ISRAEL ADESANYA IN ROUND FIVE #UFC281 https://t.co/Dvq8eIpUFV
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) November 13, 2022
