Adesanya made his pro debut in 2012 and joined the UFC in 2018. In 2019, he beat Kelvin Gastelum for the interim UFC middleweight title and beat Robert Whittaker a few months later to become champion. Since then, Adesanya has defended the belt five times.
“The Last Stylebender” last fought in July, beating Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision.
Pereira turned pro in 2015. Joining the UFC in 2021, he is 3-0 with the promotion. Pereira last fought in July, beating Sean Strickland via knockout. He is getting a title shot after only seven pro fights.
The two have faced off twice in kickboxing. Pereira defeated Adesanya via decision in April 2016, and then won via KO in March 2017.
MORE: Sign up to watch the UFC 281 PPV, exclusively on ESPN+
The co-main event will see Carla Esparza defend the UFC strawweight title against Zhang Weili. The first UFC strawweight champion, Esparza won the title in 2014 (against Rose Namajunas). Esparza lost the title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in 2015. She went 8-3 and was on a five-fight win streak when she made her way back to the title.
Esparza beat Namajunas in May to win the title back.
Zhang made her pro debut in 2013. Joining the UFC in 2018, she beat Jessica Andrade for the strawweight title. Losing the belt against Namajunas, Zhang last fought in June, beating Joanna in a rematch via knockout.
The Sporting News has a full rundown of UFC 281, including schedule, matchups, start times, odds and more for Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira, Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili, and the entire card.
When is UFC 281: Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira?
Date: Saturday, Nov. 12 FIGHT PASS Prelims: 6:15 p. m. ET | 11:15 p. m. GMT | 10:15 a. m. AEDT Prelims: 8 p. m. ET | 1 a. m. GMT | 12 p. m. AEDT Main card: 10 p. m. ET | 3 a. m. GMT | 2 p. m. AEDT Main event: 12:15 a. m. ET | 5:15 a. m. GMT | 4:15 p. m. AEDT (approximately)
UFC 281 takes place on Nov. 12. The FIGHT PASS prelims begin at 6:15 p.m. ET | 11:15 p.m. GMT | 10:15 a.m. AEDT, while the regular prelims start at 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT. The main card starts at 10 p.m. ET | 3 a.m. GMT | 2 p.m. AEDT.
Adesanya and Pereira should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET | 5:15 a.m. GMT | 4 p.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
MORE: Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira purse, salaries
How to watch UFC 281: Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira
The main card for UFC 281 is available in the U.S. and Mexico on the ESPN+ subscription streaming service for a pay-per-view cost. Earlier fights are viewable live on ESPN+.
In Canada, the main card pay-per-view is available on BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass
In the United Kingdom, the main card will be available on BT Sport, with the prelims available on UFC Fight Pass.
In Australia, the main card will be on Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.
Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira PPV price: How much does UFC 281 cost?
$74. 99 (current ESPN+ subscribers)
In the U.S., the UFC 281 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 281 is $74.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $124.98 for the UFC 281 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.
MORE: Sign up to watch the UFC 281 PPV, exclusively on ESPN+
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
Where is UFC 281: Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira?
UFC 281 takes place inside New York’s Madison Square Garden. “The World’s Most Famous Arena” can hold more than 20,000 people.
How much do tickets for UFC 281 cost?
Tickets for UFC 281 start at $422, per TicketSmarter.
Prices then range from $500 to $14,424.
Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira odds for UFC 281
Per the Caesars Sportsbook, Adesanya is the -170 favorite, while Pereira is the +145 underdog.
In Canada, per Sports Interaction, Adesanya is the -175 favorite, while Pereira is the +140 underdog.
Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili odds for UFC 281
Per the Caesars Sportsbook, Zhang is the -360 favorite, while Esparza is the +280 underdog.
In Canada, per Sports Interaction, Zhang is the -360 favorite, while Esparza is the +250 underdog.
Israel Adesanya record, bio
Nationality: Nigerian Born: July 22, 1989 Height: 6-4 Reach: 80 inches Total fights: 24 Record: 23-1 with 15 wins via knockout
Alex Pereira record, bio
Nationality: Brazilian Born: July 7, 1987 Height: 6-4 Reach: 79 inches Total fights: 7 Record: 6-1 with five wins via knockout
MORE: How to bet on combat sports
Carla Esparza record, bio
Nationality: American Born: Oct. 10, 1987 Height: 5-1 Reach: 63 inches Total fights: 25 Record: 19-6 with four wins via knockout
Zang Weili record, bio
Nationality: Chinese Born: Aug. 13, 1989 Height: 5-4 Reach: 63 inches Total fights: 25 Record: 22-3 with 11 wins via knockout
UFC 281 fight card
Main card
Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Alex Pereira for the UFC middleweight title Carla Esparza (c) vs. Zhang Weili for the UFC strawweight title Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler; Lightweights Frankie Edgar vs. Chris Gutierrez; bantamweights Dan Hooker vs. Claudio Puelles; Lightweights
Prelims
Brad Riddell vs. Renato Moicano; Lightweights Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann; Light Heavyweights Molly McCann vs. Erin Blanchfield; Flyweights Andre Petroski vs. Wellington Turman; Middleweights
FIGHT PASS Prelims
Matt Frevola vs. Ottman Azaitar; Lightweights Michael Trizano vs. Choi Seung-woo; Featherweights Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez; Strawweights Julio Arce vs. Montel Jackson; Bantamweights Carlos Ulberg vs. Nicolae Negumereanu; Light Heavyweights
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