UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira
United States
Main Card • Final
Brazil
R5, 2:01
Title Fight
Performance of the Night
Nigeria
China
R2, 1:05
Title Fight
Performance of the Night
R3, 2:00
Fight of the Night
R1, 2:01
New Zealand
R2, 4:06
Peru
Prelims • Final
R1, 3:20
R1, 1:20
R1, 3:37
England
R3, 5:00
Early Prelims • Final
R1, 2:30
Morocco
Poland
R3, 5:00
Argentina
R1, 4:51
South Korea
R3, 5:00
R1, 3:44
Romania
Official Event Results
Title Bout
$50k POTN
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler earned $50,000 each for their wild, bloody three-round lightweight war that concluded with a third-round submission finish.
Performance of the Night: Alex Pereira earned $50,000 for rallying to dethrone Israel Adesanya with a fifth-round TKO to capture the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Performance of the Night: Zhang Weili secured $50,000 for her flawless second-round rear-naked choke submission over Carla Esparza to reclaim the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | $350,000 | — | $50,000 | $432,000 | |
| LOSS | $600,000 | — | — | $642,000 | |
| WIN | $100,000 | $100,000 | $50,000 | $282,000 | |
| LOSS | $110,000 | — | — | $152,000 | |
| WIN | $300,000 | — | $50,000 | $371,000 | |
| LOSS | $120,000 | — | $50,000 | $174,500 | |
| WIN | $50,000 | $50,000 | — | $106,000 | |
| LOSS | $250,000 | — | — | $271,000 | |
| WIN | $150,000 | $150,000 | — | $316,000 | |
| LOSS | $35,000 | — | — | $41,000 | |
| WIN | $52,000 | $52,000 | — | $115,000 | |
| LOSS | $40,000 | — | — | $45,000 | |
| WIN | $40,000 | $50,000 | — | $96,000 | |
| LOSS | $120,000 | — | — | $140,000 | |
| WIN | $22,000 | $22,000 | — | $49,000 | |
| LOSS | $80,000 | — | — | $85,000 | |
| WIN | $20,000 | $20,000 | — | $45,000 | |
| LOSS | $35,000 | — | — | $41,000 | |
| WIN | $35,000 | $35,000 | — | $77,000 | |
| LOSS | $20,000 | — | — | $25,000 | |
| WIN | $50,000 | $50,000 | — | $110,000 | |
| LOSS | $20,000 | — | — | $25,000 | |
| WIN | $14,400 | $18,000 | — | $39,800 | |
| LOSS | $35,000 | — | — | $40,800 | |
| WIN | $30,000 | $30,000 | — | $65,000 | |
| LOSS | $25,000 | — | — | $31,000 | |
| WIN | $22,000 | $22,000 | — | $49,000 | |
| LOSS | $30,000 | — | — | $35,000 |
*The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) does not officially disclose fighter purse amounts. The figures displayed represent reliable industry estimated contract purses, promotional compliance payouts (UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance / Venum fight week incentive pay), and officially confirmed post-fight performance bonus awards ($50,000 each). Ryan Spann and Michael Trizano were each fined 20% of their base purses for missing weight, which was transferred directly to their respective opponents.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC 281
UFC 281 produced 11 stoppage finishes across 14 bouts, tying UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping and UFC 224 for the most finishes at a single event in promotional history.
Alex Pereira captured the undisputed UFC Middleweight Championship in just his fourth Octagon bout and eighth professional MMA fight, the second-fewest pro bouts to win a UFC title behind Brock Lesnar (4).
Alex Pereira became the first athlete in combat sports history to win undisputed world championships in both Glory Kickboxing (two divisions) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Pereira handed Israel Adesanya his first career middleweight defeat in MMA, snapping Adesanya’s 12-fight divisional winning streak (the second-longest in middleweight history behind Anderson Silva’s 13).
Zhang Weili submitted Carla Esparza to become just the third multi-time champion in UFC Women’s Strawweight history, joining Rose Namajunas and Esparza.
In his final career bout, UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar concluded his career as the undisputed leader in total Octagon cage time at 7 hours, 57 minutes, and 10 seconds.
Dustin Poirier captured his eighth career Fight of the Night honor and 13th total post-fight bonus award, solidifying his standing among the top bonus earners in UFC history.
Dustin Poirier locked up his first submission victory inside the Octagon since submitting Max Holloway via mounted triangle-armbar at UFC 143 in February 2012.
UFC 281 generated $11,562,807.77 from 20,845 attendees, standing as the second highest-grossing sporting gate in Madison Square Garden history at the time of the event.
Voted by the worldwide fanbase, UFC 281 was crowned the official 2022 UFC Honors Event of the Year following its dramatic championship turns and high-octane finishes.
Ryan Spann recorded an 80-second stoppage of former title challenger Dominick Reyes, registering one of the fastest light heavyweight knockout finishes at Madison Square Garden.
Long Island native Matt Frevola scored a thunderous 2:30 first-round knockout over Ottman Azaitar, handing the Moroccan power puncher the first loss of his professional career.
When and where did UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira take place?
UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira took place on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
Who won the main event between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira?
Alex Pereira defeated Israel Adesanya via TKO (punches) at 2:01 of Round 5 to become the new undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion, mounting a dramatic fifth-round comeback while trailing on the judges’ scorecards.
Who won the co-main event title fight at UFC 281?
Zhang Weili defeated Carla Esparza via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:05 of Round 2 to regain the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship and begin her second promotional title reign.
What happened in the fight between Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler?
In a thrilling, bloody contest awarded Fight of the Night, Dustin Poirier defeated Michael Chandler via rear-naked choke submission at 2:00 of Round 3 after surviving Chandler’s second-round wrestling assault.
Who received the $50,000 post-fight bonuses at UFC 281?
Four fighters received $50,000 bonuses: Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler earned Fight of the Night, while newly crowned champions Alex Pereira and Zhang Weili each earned Performance of the Night honors.
Was UFC 281 the final fight of Frankie Edgar’s career?
Yes. Former UFC Lightweight Champion and Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar made his final walk to the Octagon at UFC 281, retiring with the all-time UFC record for total cage time (7 hours, 57 minutes, and 10 seconds) following a first-round knockout loss to Chris Gutierrez.
Did UFC 281 set the UFC record for the most finishes at a single event?
Yes. With 11 stoppage finishes out of 14 bouts (seven knockouts and four submissions), UFC 281 tied UFC Fight Night 55 and UFC 224 for the most finishes at an individual event in UFC history.
What were the official attendance and live gate figures for UFC 281?
The event drew a sold-out crowd of 20,845 attendees to Madison Square Garden, generating a massive live gate of $11,562,807.77.
How did Dan Hooker defeat Claudio Puelles at UFC 281?
Dan Hooker defended multiple submission attacks and leg lock entries before finishing Claudio Puelles via TKO (teep kick to the body) at 4:06 of Round 2.
How fast did Ryan Spann knock out Dominick Reyes?
Ryan Spann knocked out former title challenger Dominick Reyes with a stiff, counter jab and follow-up punch in just 1 minute and 20 seconds of Round 1.
How did Erin Blanchfield perform against Molly McCann?
New Jersey native Erin Blanchfield produced a dominant grappling clinic, taking down Molly McCann immediately, raining down 93 total strikes, and securing a kimura submission at 3:37 of Round 1.
What happened after Renato Moicano’s win over Brad Riddell?
After submitting Brad Riddell via rear-naked choke in the first round, Renato Moicano delivered an iconic, viral post-fight Octagon interview with Joe Rogan proclaiming “Moicano wants money!”
Who did Matt Frevola knock out at UFC 281?
Matt Frevola defeated the previously undefeated knockout artist Ottman Azaitar via thunderous first-round right hook knockout at 2:30 of Round 1 in front of his home state New York crowd.
Who called the fights at UFC 281?
The broadcast team featured lead play-by-play voice Jon Anik alongside color analysts Joe Rogan and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, with Bruce Buffer announcing the bouts inside the Octagon.
What awards did UFC 281 receive at the end of the year?
UFC 281 was officially awarded the 2022 UFC Honors Event of the Year by fan vote, while Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler and Pereira vs. Adesanya were nominated among the best fights of 2022.
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