If Israel Adesanya can fight level-headed, Luke Rockhold is picking him to beat Alex Pereira.
Adesanya (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) defends his middleweight title against Pereira (6-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the UFC 281 main event Nov. 12. Pereira beat Adesanya twice in kickboxing, including once by knockout.
The Brazilian quickly rose up the UFC ranks and with just seven professional MMA fights, he gets to challenge for the title. No one has been able to hang with Adesanya on the feet at 185 pounds, but if he doesn’t mix things up, Rockhold thinks it could cost him.