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Alex Pereira's Iconic Win Almost Didn't Happen Due to Israel Adesanya's Injury

2026-07-15 · Alex Pereira · Club News

Alex Pereira's Iconic Win Almost Didn't Happen Due to Israel Adesanya's Injury

Alex Pereira's Iconic Win Almost Didn't Happen Due to Israel Adesanya's Injury

Israel Adesanya suffered a major injury 10 days before his UFC 287 win against Alex Pereira, but still managed to pull off one of the most iconic knockouts in UFC history.

What Happened?

In a recent episode of the Precision podcast with Demetrious Johnson, Adesanya revealed that he had a "really bad right knee injury" 10 days before his rematch against Pereira at UFC 287. The injury was severe enough to potentially force Adesanya out of the fight, but he chose to risk it and push through the pain.

Why It Matters for Alex Pereira

Adesanya's injury was a significant concern for the fight, and it's a testament to his toughness and determination that he was able to overcome it and still manage to win the fight. Pereira, who had previously dethroned Adesanya at UFC 281, was looking to make a statement and prove that he was the better fighter. However, Adesanya's injury may have given Pereira an advantage, and it's possible that the outcome of the fight could have been different if Adesanya had been fully healthy.

What Comes Next?

Adesanya's injury is a concern for his future fights, and it remains to be seen how it will affect his performance in the coming months. He has announced a split from his longtime gym, City Kickboxing, and it's unclear what the future holds for him in the UFC middleweight division. One thing is certain, however: Adesanya's toughness and determination will be put to the test as he looks to bounce back from this setback and regain his position at the top of the division.

Israel Adesanya's injury was a major concern for his UFC 287 win against Alex Pereira, but he still managed to pull off one of the most iconic knockouts in UFC history. The outcome of the fight could have been different if Adesanya had been fully healthy, and it remains to be seen how his injury will affect his performance in the coming months.

Adesanya's injury was a significant concern for the fight, and it's a testament to his toughness and determination that he was able to overcome it and still manage to win the fight. Pereira, who had previously dethroned Adesanya at UFC 281, was looking to make a statement and prove that he was the better fighter. However, Adesanya's injury may have given Pereira an advantage, and it's possible that the outcome of the fight could have been different if Adesanya had been fully healthy.

Adesanya's injury is a concern for his future fights, and it remains to be seen how it will affect his performance in the coming months. He has announced a split from his longtime gym, City Kickboxing, and it's unclear what the future holds for him in the UFC middleweight division. One thing is certain, however: Adesanya's toughness and determination will be put to the test as he looks to bounce back from this setback and regain his position at the top of the division.

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