Adesanya was the more accurate striker and controlled the proceedings from range throughout
Israel Adesanya brushed aside the challenge of Jared Cannonier in a masterclass of technical precision at UFC 276.
The middleweight champion’s clash with his American challenger never quite ignited and Cannonier struggled to lay a finger on the elusive Kiwi for large sections of the contest.
Adesanya, who thrilled fans with a homage to WWE star The Undertaker in his walkout, was too fast and intelligent for his challenger but whet the appetite for his next defence.
‘The first time I had you on skates, next time I’ll have you Frozen, like Elsa’, he said to Alex Pereira – the only man to have ever knocked him out – who obliterated Sean Strickland earlier in the night to earn what will inevitably be a title shot
The compelling narrative was pushed forward when the UFC decided to match Pereira up on the same card in only his third UFC fight.
He holds two kickboxing wins, including the heavy KO, against Adesanya, adding a real layer of interest to the prospective bout. Pereira has looked brilliant in his MMA career so far and possesses the kind of lethal power that may trouble the champion where all others have failed.
