Four CKB Kickboxing representatives are scheduled on the upcoming UFC 281 event, with the reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya headlining the card as he takes on title challenger Alex Pereira.
It will be a sixth consecutive title defence the New Zealand-based Adesanya but could also prove to be his toughest, with his opponent Pereira holding two wins against him – albeit under kickboxing rules.
Adesanya lost a decision to Pereira back in 2016 and was fairing better in the rematch in 2017, before being knocked out with a flush knock-out.
Pereira was signed to the UFC after just 4 MMA fights and has defeated Andreas Michailidis, Bruno Silva and Sean Strickland in his 3-0 run. His total MMA record sits at 6-1.
Dan Hooker (21-12) returns to action on the main card and will be looking at rebounding from consecutive losses when he takes on Claudio Puelles (12-2) while in preliminary action fell countrymen Brad Riddell (10-3) and Carlos Ulberg (6-1) meet Renato Moicano (16-5-1) & Nicolae Negumereanu (13-1) respectively.
The co-main event will be a women’s strawweight title fight between Carla Esparza and Weili Zhang.
How to watch UFC 281 in Australia?
The blockbuster card will be a pay-per-view event, with the main card streaming on Mainevent, Kayo and UFC Fight Pass in Australia for AU$59.95
The preliminary card will be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN 2 while the earlier prelims exclusive on UFC Fight Pass.
What time will UFC 281 take place in Australia?
The historical Madison Square Garden in New York will host the event, with the main card starting at 2pm AEDT.
The preliminary card commences at 12pm AEDT with the early prelims scheduled for 10am AEDT.
Full Fight Card:
Main Card (Mainevent / Kayo / UFC Fight Pass PPV) – 2pm AEDT
- Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Alex Pereira – UFC middleweight title
- Carla Esparza (c) vs. Weili Zhang – UFC strawweight title
- Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler
- Frankie Edgar vs. Chris Gutierrez
- Dan Hooker vs. Claudio Puelles
Preliminary Card (ESPN 2/UFC Fight Pass) – 12pm AEDT
- Renato Moicano vs. Brad Riddell
- Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann
- Erin Blanchfield vs. Molly McCann
- Andrei Petroski vs. Wellington Turman
Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass) – 10am AEDT
- Ottman Azaitar vs. Matt Frevola
- Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez
- Mike Trizano vs. Choi Seung-Woo
- Julio Arce vs. Montel Jackson
- Carlos Ulberg vs. Nicolae Negumereanu
Times are Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time
Last Updated: 9 November 2022
