This time it’s personal for Israel Adesanya: ”Fuck the belt”

Israel Adesanya. Photo: Jasmin Frank – USA TODAY Sports

On November 12, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has more on the line than his title. When he steps into the octagon he will look to avenge two kickboxing losses against rival Alex ”Poatan” Pereira.

In a new video released on his YouTube, ”The Last Stylebender” revealed that it’s not about the title anymore. What matters is beating Pereira at all costs.

”Beating him, that’s what matters. Like, the belt, fuck the belt. Just beating him, a killer like him, that’s what matters,” Adesanya said.

”It’s not going to be like last time. It’s a different fighter you’re facing now. And now, I’ve become another fighter, I’ve rebirthed myself.”

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Israel Adesanya is undefeated as a middleweight

Since his promotional debut in February 2018, Adesanya has 12 wins and no losses in the middleweight division. So far, he defended his belt five times.

His only loss came in March 2021 when he challenged light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz for the title.

UFC 281 – Official fight card

Main Card

• Middleweight title fight: Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira
• Strawweight title fight: Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili
• Lightweight Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler
• Bantamweight: Frankie Edgar vs. Chris Gutierrez
• Lightweight: Dan Hooker vs. Claudio Puelles

Prelims

• Lightweight: Brad Riddell vs. Renato Moicano
• Light heavyweight: Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann
• Women’s flyweight: Erin Blanchfield vs. Molly McCann
• Middleweight: Wellington Turman vs. Andre Petroski

Early prelims

• Women’s strawweight: Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez
• Featherweight: Michael Trizano vs. Seung Woo Choi
• Lightweight: Matt Frevola vs. Ottman Azaitar
• Bantamweight: Montel Jackson vs. Julio Arce
• Light heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg vs. Nicolae Negumereanu

*Bout order and number of fights can change.

Read more: UFC Vegas 64 – Full Fight Card, Start Time & How to Watch

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