Five reasons to watch UFC 281, with Israel Adesanya vs Alex Poatan for the middleweight belt

I. Adesanya and A. Poatan are in the main fight of the UFC 281 (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)

After much anticipation, the day finally arrived. This Saturday (12), starting at 20pm (Brasília time), at Madison Square Garden, the legendary stage in New York, in the United States, the UFC 281. The event's main fight is the fight for the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg) between Israel adesanya e Alex Poatán and also presents the duel for the strawweight title between Carla esparza e Weili Zhang.

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To get into the spirit of this grand event, the team at SUPER FIGHTS points out five reasons why you should follow the UFC 281. Check out:

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1) From kickboxing to MMA: the third act of the rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Alex Poatan

A. Poatan (left) faces I. Adesanya (right) before the UFC 281. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The main fight of the event features great rivals. Although this is the first time they have faced each other in MMA, Israel adesanya e Alex Poatán They have a history of kickboxing, a sport in which the Brazilian has two victories over the Nigerian, the last one by knockout.

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Six years after their last meeting, Adesanya and Poatan return to duel in a completely different scenario. Undefeated as a middleweight in MMA, the Nigerian is the “king” of the division, with five belt defenses, while the Brazilian arrives for the title fight with eight fights in mixed martial arts, only three of which are in the Ultimate octagon.

2) Champion x former champion: the duel for the strawweight belt

C. Esparza faces W. Zhang in the UFC 281 (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)

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The co-main fight of the night brings the present and the recent past of the strawweight division face to face. Current belt holder, Carla esparza seeks to defend the title for the first time in her second reign in the category against the Chinese Weili Zhang, who was champion between 2019 and 2021 and is looking to regain the crown.

Esparza arrives for the duel undefeated since 2018 and riding on six straight victories in the octagon, while Zhang has recovered from the series of defeats suffered against Rose namajunas by knocking out former champion Joanna Jedrzjeczyk in June.

3) Dustin Poirier x Michael Chandler: guaranteed entertainment

M.Chandler and D. Poirier duel in the UFC 281 (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)

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In the third most important fight on the card, Dustin poirier e Michael chandler face each other in a duel that promises to lift fans from their seats. Used to putting on “shows” in each performance, the two seek to prove that they still belong to the lightweight elite (up to 70,3kg) and dream of a new chance to fight for the belt, which currently belongs to Islam makhachev.

Former interim champion of the division, Poirier is coming off a defeat to the former champion Charles of the Bronx in a title fight in December. On the other hand, Chandler recovered from consecutive defeats against Do Bronx, also in a title dispute, and Justin gaethje by defeating Tony Ferguson with a candidate for “Knockout of the Year” in May.

4) A legend’s goodbye: Frankie Edgar’s farewell to the octagon

F. Edgar (photo) in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @frankieedgar

The second fight on the main card marks the farewell of a true MMA legend. At 41 years old, Frankie Edgar takes action to face Chris Gutierrez in his last performance as a mixed martial arts professional.

Currently operating as a bantamweight (up to 61,2kg), Edgar is one of the record holders for title defenses in the lightweight division, in which he was champion between 2010 and 2012.

5) Brazil on the preliminary card

R. Moicano in victory in the UFC Brasilia. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc

Alex Poatán is the only Brazilian on the main card of the UFC 281, but the event features two more representatives from the country in the preliminary portion: Renato Moicano e Wellington Turman.

Disciple of Glover Teixeira and partner of Alex Poatán, Turman is looking for his third consecutive victory. The middleweight faces the North American Andre Petroski, undefeated in the organization with three victories.

At the end of the preliminary card, Renato Moicano stars in a duel of styles against the New Zealander Brad Riddell, training partner Israel adesanya. The fight could bring the winner closer to a place in the top 15 lightweight divisions.

Roobet sponsors UFC 281 coverage

A robot sponsors coverage of UFC 281 straight from New York, highlighting the fight between Alex Poatán x Israel adesanya for the middleweight belt.

Alex Poatán is an ambassador for the online gaming and betting website robot in Brazil, which has an unmissable promotion for anyone betting on the Brazilian fighter's victory. Bet now on the victory of Alex Poatán and have your earnings increased in case of our ambassador's victory.

bet now, as the promotion is valid for bets placed before the fight, which will take place this Saturday (12).