Israel Adesanya Excited for UFC 281 Main Event Against Alex Pereira

Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, is excited about the challenge of facing Alex Pereira. Adesanya will be looking to achieve his sixth title defense when he faces Pereira in the main event of UFC 281 on November 12th at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Having lost to Pereira twice in kickboxing, including one by knockout, Adesanya is motivated to avenge those defeats.

"Beating him, that's what matters. The belt? Screw the belt. Just beating him, a killer like him, that's what matters."

According to Tipico Sportsbook, Adesanya is only a slight favorite at -175, with Pereira at +135 as the underdog. Adesanya's losses to Pereira occurred over five years ago. "The Last Stylebender" has overcome those setbacks and promises that Pereira faces a different challenge in MMA.

"We've dusted it off, we've cut it, and I can see what I did wrong. So, it's not going to be like last time. This is a different fighter you're facing, and now I have become a different fighter. I have been reborn. I have reinvented myself, and I feel like having fun. That's the goal. But in this fight, I'm going to have fun. That's the ultimate goal. And when I have fun, I'm the best in the world."