Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira Prediction: UFC 281 Betting Odds and Picks

The Ultimate Fighting Championships returns with one of the biggest fight cards of this year. Israel Adesanya will face his greatest rival in kickboxing Alex Pereira.

Israel Adesanya is a 33-year-old fighter from New Zealand. He had his first professional MMA fight in 2013. Until 2017, Israel fought mainly in kickboxing. In 2017 he won 2 titles in Oceania regional promotions: Australian FC and Hex Fight Series.

Israel Adesanya is the new UFC middleweight champion. He has had five title defenses. Alex Pereira is a big challenge for him. The fight takes place in April. It is scheduled to take place at the same venue as the unification of the belts between Adegana and Whittaker.

Israel Adesanya has a filigree striking technique that he developed while performing kickboxing. He understands that his style is boring and slow, but he is a genius. Israel lost his last fight in kickboxer by knockout. He does not have a strong enough jaw.

Alex Pereira is a 35-year-old Brazilian fighter. He is currently a champion in two weight categories in the Glory promotion. Alex signed with the LFA in 2020. His debut took place in November 2021. Pereiras then fought in March 2022 and won by unanimous decision. In July he won the title by knocking out Sean Strickland.

Andreas Mikhailidis successfully pinned Pereira in the first round. Perera has a good standing position but a mediocre takedown and a lack of understanding of what needs to be done in clinch.

Israel Adesanya fights Alex Pereira for the UFC's middleweight title. Pereiras has only had three UFC fights and his MMA skills are nowhere near Adeanya's.