UFC returns to New York's iconic Madison Square Garden tonight, with a middleweight title fight between familiar foes Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira at UFC 281. The two fighters faced each other in the Glory of Heroes kickboxing promotion prior to them making the switch to UFC, with Pereira coming out as winner in both meetings in decisive style. Read on to discover how to watch a UFC 281 live stream online from anywhere today.
Since then, Adesanya has gone on to become one of MMA's biggest names. Having claimed the UFC 185lb crown in 2019, he remains unbeaten at middleweight since joining the promotion. Pereira meanwhile only signed up with the UFC late last year, but his glittering reputation in Glory of Heroes has seen him fast-tracked to this title challenge after just three successful fights at this level.
Adesanya is well used to rematches – his last three appearances in the UFC have been follow-up fights against recent opponents, but this third against a bogeyman from his past may be his toughest Octagon showdown yet.
Alongside the headline act, UFC 281's card also sees Carla Esparza makes her first defence of her straw weight title against Chinese contender Weili Zhang in the co-main event. Follow our guide below as we explain how to watch a UFC 281 live stream, and see Adesanya vs Pereira and the rest in the Octagon today.
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Adesanya vs Pereira preview and predictions
This battle between two of MMA's most potent strikers offers up the strange scenario of Adesanya – a seemingly unstoppable champion at UFC level – looking to beat a fighter at the third time of asking.
While the Last Stylebender may be well ahead with the bookies for this unusual trilogy showdown, that second, devastating, defeat to Pereira five years ago will almost certainly be at the back of the champs mind.
Expect Adesanya to proceed with caution and retain his crown in what's likely to be a slow paced, technical affair that may explode in its later stages.
Who is Israel Adesanya?
Going from newcomer to middleweight champ in under two-years, Israel Adesanya made arguably the most rapid ascent through the UFC ranks of any fighter.
Nicknamed 'The Last Stylebender', the huge anime fan claimed the middleweight title in October 2019 by knocking out Robert Whittaker, and has since made four successful defenses.
An ill-fated attempt to claim the light heavyweight belt in March 2021 at UFC 259 ended in defeat to Poland's Jan Blachowicz, casting doubt on his aims to step up to heavyweight in the future and his long-term plan to become an unprecedented three-division champion.
Despite that defeat, the 33-year-old Nigerian-born, New Zealand resident has a mightily impressive 23-1 career record and 12-1 in the Octagon, with all of those UFC victories having come since February 2018.
Who is Alex Pereira?
A former two-time kickboxing champion, Brazilian star Alex Pereira may be comparatively inexperienced at UFC level, but undoubtedly comes into this title fight feeling optimistic of taking the crown.
That confidence comes from his two wins over Adesanya back in the days of their time in the Glory of Heroes kickboxing promotion, with those victories including a brutal knockout victory the last time the two men shared the ring.
The 35-year-old from São Paulo has won all three of his UFC fights in the past 12 months, and remains unbeaten in MMA since a rear-naked choke submission to Quemuel Ottoni at at Jungle Fight 82 back in 2015.
Adesanya vs Pereira latest odds: who is the favorite to win?
Despite Pereira's previous kickboxing wins against Adesanya, the Last Stylebender comes in as clear favourite with the bookies to defend his crown at 4/9, with the Brazilian challenger currently marked out with the bookies at 13/8.
Adesanya vs Pereira: recent results
Adesanya's last defence of his title saw him outpoint Jared Cannonier over five rounds at UFC 276 in Las Vegas back in July this year.
That same bill saw Pereira beat Sean Strickland demolish Sean Strickland with a vicious first-round knockout via a thunderbolt left-hook.
UFC 281 full card and highlights
Beyond the much anticipated headline act, UFC 281's co-main event sees the women's strawweight title up for grabs as Carla Esparza makes her first defence of the title against China's Weili Zhang.
The bill also sees Dustin Poirier return to action against Michael Chandler in his first fight since his defeat to Charles Oliveira, while there's plenty of British interest, with rising star Molly McCann set to face Erin Blanchfield as she Liverpudlian looks to make it four wins in a row in the UFC.
Main card
• Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira - UFC middleweight title
• Carla Esparza vs Zhang Weili - UFC women’s strawweight title
• Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler - lightweight
• Frankie Edgar vs Chris Gutierrez - bantamweight
• Dan Hooker vs Claudio Puelles - lightweight
Prelims
• Brad Riddell vs Renato Moicano - lightweight
• Dominick Reyes vs Ryan Spann - light heavyweight
• Molly McCann vs Erin Blanchfield - women’s flyweight
• Andre Petroski vs Wellington Turman - middleweight
Early prelims
• Matt Frevola vs Ottman Azaitar - lightweight
• Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Silvana Gomez Juarez - women’s strawweight
• Michael Trizano vs Choi Seung-woo - featherweight
• Julio Arce vs Montel Jackson - bantamweight
• Carlos Ulberg vs Nicolae Negumereanu - light heavyweight
