Israel Adesanya, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s longtime middleweight champion, strolled slowly into the octagon at U.F.C. 281 against Alex Pereira, a man whom Adesanya said he would expose.
Adesanya closely walked toward Pereira before introductions and stared coldly at him, similarly to how Pereira did in 2017 when he knocked Adesanya out in kickboxing. As Pereira missed punches, Adesanya smiled and shook his head, signaling to his opponent that he felt he was superior in mixed martial arts, a discipline that Adesanya had ruled for three years.
But in fifth round, when Adesanya slipped in the middle of the octagon, Pereira saw his chance, chasing Adesanya as he retreated to the fence.