At UFC 276 on July 3, Israel Adesanya defended his Middleweight Championship in dominant fashion, defeating Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 49-46, 49-46, and 50-45, giving Adesanya his fifth consecutive title defense. This victory also made him the fourth fighter in UFC history to win 12 fights in a single weight class, joining the ranks of legends like Kamaru Usman, Anderson Silva, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
A Masterclass in Striking
Adesanya controlled the fight from start to finish, using his superior striking and footwork to stay one step ahead of Cannonier. In the opening rounds, Adesanya displayed his trademark precision with jabs and low kicks, setting the pace and making it difficult for Cannonier to land clean shots. When Cannonier shifted to a more aggressive approach in round two, trying to close the distance and land power punches, Adesanya used his reach and movement to avoid damage and continue scoring from the outside.
Despite Cannonier’s efforts to land a knockout blow, Adesanya kept his cool and never allowed his opponent to impose his game. In the final rounds, Adesanya continued to dominate with clean counters, effective kicks, and defensive mastery, sealing a clear decision victory.
Future Plans: A Potential Clash with Alex Pereira
Looking ahead, Adesanya is focused on a potential rematch with Alex Pereira, who had previously beaten him twice in kickboxing, including a knockout. After his win, Adesanya expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Pereira in the UFC, saying, “If I fight Pereira again, I’ll freeze him like Elsa.”
Although pleased with his performance, Adesanya admitted that he didn’t feel his punches had the same power as in previous fights. Nevertheless, his undefeated record at middleweight and continued dominance in the division solidify his place as one of the best fighters in UFC history. Fans are now eagerly anticipating his next challenge, with a potential rematch against Pereira on the horizon.
