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ISRAEL ADESANYA reclaimed the UFC middleweight title with a brutal knockout victory over bitter rival Alex Pereira.

The Nigerian-born New Zealander renewed his rivalry with the former Glory double champ on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 287 in Miami.

Israel Adesanya renewed his rivalry with Alex Pereira in the main event ofc UFC 2878

Israel Adesanya renewed his rivalry with Alex Pereira in the main event ofc UFC 287Credit: Getty
Adesanya found himself enduring a hellacious storm from Pereira in the second round8

Adesanya found himself enduring a hellacious storm from Pereira in the second roundCredit: Getty
But he stayed resilient in the face of the danger brought to him by the Brazilian

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But he stayed resilient in the face of the danger brought to him by the BrazilianCredit: GETTY
Adesanya rocked Pereira with a huge right hand after absorbing shots against the cage

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Adesanya rocked Pereira with a huge right hand after absorbing shots against the cageCredit: GETTY

Adesanya went into the contest looking to claim his win over the Brazilan at the fourth time of asking following a last-gasp defeat in their clash last November

And he finally got one over Poatan thanks to a win vicious knockout in the second round.

A fired-up Adesanya said in his post-fight interview: “In his story, I’m the antagonist.

“In his story, I’m the bad guy. But tonight, it’s my story. History!”

Adesanya relinquished the centre of the octagon to his old rival, who opened up with an outside leg kick, early doors.

But the Nigerian-born Kiwi was calm in the face of the overwhelming danger from the iron-fisted Pereira.

Both men stared stoically into one another’s eyes as they jostled for octagon dominance and traded calf kicks.

Unlike their first fight, Adesanya had difficulty closing the distance and landing his right hand.

But he had success with multiple body kicks, although he continued to eat low calf kicks.

Pereira came close to decapitating the former champion with right head kick moments before a left hand whizzed past his chin before the horn.

Israel Adesanya looks on at a fallen Alex Pereira after knocking him out8

Israel Adesanya looks on at a fallen Alex Pereira after knocking him outCredit: Getty
The Last Stylebender hit Pereira with an air bow seconds after shutting his lights out

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The Last Stylebender hit Pereira with an air bow seconds after shutting his lights outCredit: GETTY
Pereira didn't know where he was once he came too

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Pereira didn’t know where he was once he came tooCredit: GETTY
Adesanya was overcome with emotion after reclaiming the middleweight title

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Adesanya was overcome with emotion after reclaiming the middleweight titleCredit: GETTY

Pereira exuded confidence in early in the second and began to walk down the former champion.

Adesanya, however, didn’t wilt under the pressure – nor did his legs buckle after eating trademark Pereira left hook.

Pereira continued to chew up the lead legs of Adesanya from both stances.

Adesanya, however, was undeterred and continued to come forward as he tried to find a home for his body kicks.

Adesanya’s right leg buckled in the final minute due to more vicious calf kicks, which forced him to retreat to the fence.

The 33-year-old began to cover up as he ate a barrage of shots.

But he rocked the champ with a beautiful and legacy-defining counter overhand right.

Pereira was on wobbly legs and couldn’t escape the follow-up right-hand-left hook combo which felled him.

Academic ground and pound closed the show and kickstarted The Last Stylebender’s second reign as middleweight king.

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A classy Adesanya paid tribute to his long-time rival by saying: “No matter what, Alex is a great champion.

“He lost the belt tonight but he will always be a champion.

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