Adesanya, Pereira Rematch Holds Today  at Miami-Dade Arena

Israel Adesanya will face long time Brazilian nemesis, Alex Pereira for the fourth time this weekend in the “Sunshine State,” having already lost to “Poatan” twice on the kickboxing circuit and once inside the Octagon.

Adesanya is ready to make good on his fourth career collision with  Pereira this weekend at UFC 287.

The Miami showdown acts as the MMA rematch for the pair of sensational strikers, following their previous two kickboxing matches, which saw Pereira’s hand raised each time. Every element of Adesanya versus Pereira’s third overall installment at UFC 281 this past November had audiences captivated.

Adesanya found success utilising his grappling abilities more than he’s often displayed in his career. His exceptional striking was on display as always, too, nearly finishing “Poatan” at the end of round one. Ultimately, outscoring Pereira wasn’t a new or difficult feat achieved for “The Last Stylebender.” The problem was closing the show … as Adesanya once again was unable to stay perfect, succumbing to a fifth-round TKO stoppage.

“That gives me a challenge. I love challenges. It gives me a challenge to rise to the occasion. Example: this weekend it gives me an opportunity to remind and show people how great I am. I love being in this position because not everybody can be in this position and thrive. I can.”

Pereira became only the second man to best Adesanya in MMA and the first to do so at middleweight with his triumph in New York City. Heading into the MMA rematch and overall part four, Adesanya is in somewhat of a back-against-the-wall position despite the betting odds being slightly in his favor at this time in fight week.

Love him or hate him, the proud Kiwi knows exactly what he needs to do to finally get one back on one of Brazil’s most feared strikers.