UFC 281 boasts two title fights with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya taking on Alex Pereira while Carla Esparza defends her strawweight belt against Zhang Weili.
Adesanya, priced at 4/7 to win, is yet to taste defeat at middleweight with the only loss on his 24-fight record coming when he stepped up to face Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title.
The Nigerian won the interim middleweight belt at UFC 236 courtesy of a decision victory over Kevin Gastelum and he unified the division at UFC 243 with a knockout win against Robert Whittaker.
He has gone on to enjoy five successful defences and has looked untouchable. However, Pereira could offer his biggest test to date.
Pereira, who can be backed at 12/5, and Adesanya both started out their combat careers as kickboxers and the former beat the latter in both of their meetings.
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Sunday’s co-main event sees Esparza make the first defence of her strawweight belt after beating Rose Namajunas by decision at UFC 274.
Esparza, priced at 3/1 to win, previously held the strawweight strap in 2014 after also recording a victory over Namajunas but she lost it next time out following a TKO loss against Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Zhang, 1/4 to come out on top, has also previously had her hands on the strawweight belt, winning the title in 2019, and she made one successful defence before losing to Namjunas at UFC 261.
The 33-year-old lost her rematch with Namajunas at UFC 268 but has another opportunity to get back to the top of the division this weekend.
| What | UFC 281: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira |
| Where | Madison Square Garden, New York, USA |
| When | 01:00, Sunday 13th November 2022 |
| How to watch | BT Sport 2 |
| Odds | Israel Adesanya 4/7, Alex Pereira 6/4 |
When is UFC 281: Adesanya vs Pereira?
UFC 281 is set to take place on Sunday 13th November.
What time is UFC 281: Adesanya vs Pereira?
The preliminary card starts at 01:00 and the main card begins at 03:00 with Adesanya and Pereira likely to be in action around 06:00.
Where is UFC 281: Adesanya vs Pereira?
Madison Square Garden in New York plays host to UFC 281.
Can I watch UFC 281: Adesanya vs Pereira?
Yes. The preliminary card and main card are both set to be broadcast on BT Sport 2.
Who is the favourite at UFC 281: Adesanya vs Pereira?
Champion Adesanya is the 4/7 favourite to successfully defend his title against 6/4 underdog Pereira.
Challenger Zhang is the 1/4 favourite to beat 3/1 strawweight champion Esparza in the co-main event.
Are there any belts on the line at UFC 281: Adesanya vs Pereira?
Yes. There are two belts on the line at UFC 281. Adesanya makes the sixth defence of his middleweight belt against Pereira.
Esparza is making the maiden defence of her strawweight belt in the co-main event against Zhang.
What is Israel Adesanya's record?
24 fights, 23 wins (15 KOs), 1 defeat
What is Alex Pereira's record?
7 fights, 6 wins (5 KOs), 1 defeat
What is Carla Esparza's record?
25 fights, 19 wins (4 KOs), 6 defeats
What is Zhang Weili's record?
25 fights, 22 wins (11 KOs), 3 defeats
Who is on the undercard at UFC 281: Adesanya vs Pereira?
Main card: Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler Frankie Edgar vs Chris Gutierrez Dan Hooker vs Claudio Puelles |
Preliminary card: Brad Riddell vs Renato Moicano Dominick Reyes vs Ryan Spann Molly McCann vs Erin Blanchfield Andre Petroski vs Wellington Turman |
Early preliminary card: Matt Frevola vs Ottman Azaitar Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Silvana Gomez Juarez Michael Trizano vs Choi Seung-woo Julio Arce vs Montel Jackson Carlos Ulberg vs Nicolae Negumereanu |
