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‘The game’s not over.’ Did referee Marc Goddard stop the fight too soon? Adesanya will try for the 4th time to beat Pereira
Nigerian-New Zealander professional mixed martial artist (MMA) Israel Mobolaji Adesanya has given his thoughts following the defeat to Brazilian Alexsandro Pereira.
Adesanya was knocked out by Pereira at the two-minute mark of the fifth round of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 281.
The technical knockout was awarded by referee Marc Goddard as Pereira unleashed a combination of shots without a response from Adesanya.
Adesanya now loses the UFC Middleweight title to Pereira who had previously defeated him twice in kickboxing.
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Adesanya on stoppage against Pereira
At the post-fight press conference, Adesanya explained that he could have been given more time before the fight was stopped.
He said, "My ego would say, 'At least let me go out on my shield.' But I don't think I would have gone out, 'cause I was still there.
“I've seen worse stoppages, bring back Steve Mazzagatti, I would have been fine. He might have won that round but I would still be the champion."
Adesanya on Pereira
Adesanya lost the title to Pereira but explained that he had a good performance up until that point in the fight.
The Last Stylebender was on top 3 -1 according to the judges' scorecard and could have been more tactical in approach in the fourth.
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He added, "It's kind of like the same story as the last kickboxing fight we had. You know, I'm up [on the scorecards], I'm having him, I'm staying focused and then he just catches me. But this time I felt like I was there. I was really there."
Adesanya took to his official social media platform to reveal he intends to have a fourth fight with Pereira.
“I LOVE THIS GAME!!! Attacking Titans like this one thrills me!! Another chapter to “Poatan” 🗿. You won the battle yet again, but the war wages on! The hunter now becomes the hunted, the game’s not over.”
It is expected that Dana White has conversations with Pereira about a rematch with Adesanya or facing the winner of the Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa fight.
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