UFC 281 lived up to the hype before either title fight began.
The top-10 lightweight contest between Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler was a back-and-forth affair for the first two rounds, but "The Diamond" ended the third round with a rear naked choke that made "Iron Mike" tap.
It was Poirier's first submission win since 2012 and the only submission loss of Chandler's career.
With the win, Poirier is tied with Charles Oliveira for the fourth most victories in UFC history with 21.
Several UFC stars weighed in on the fight.
Congratulations Dustin
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 13, 2022
It was amazing fight 👏
Awesome 👏🏼 congrats @DustinPoirier #ufc281
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) November 13, 2022
That fight was everything we thought it would be and more 😳👏🏿 Chandler is built different #ufc281 @DustinPoirier @MikeChandlerMMA
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) November 13, 2022
This sport is so wild!! I'm in disbelief of that back and forth performance from these warriors! Congrats to the Diamond!! #UFC281
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 13, 2022
That lived up to everything I hoped it'd be. WHAT A FIGHT!! 🔥🔥#UFC281
— Jeff Molina (@jmolina_125) November 13, 2022
As @StuartScott would say, @DustinPoirier is as cool as the other side of the pillow. Stellar performance. #UFC281
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) November 13, 2022
The middleweight championship between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira was another action-packed matchup.
After a strong second round from Pereira, Adesanya appeared to be in control of the fight, but appearances can be deceiving. Pereira landed a flurry of blows in the fifth round that prompted referee Marc Goddard to end the fight with Adesanya's defeat via TKO.
Stars weighed in on the fight and congratulated Pereira, the new middleweight champion.
Respect to both @stylebender and Alex Pereira. What makes MMA such a beautiful game is a fight ain't over til it's over! Can't wait to see the quadrilogy! #UFC281
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 13, 2022
It's already yours Champ, Congratulations! Incredibly happy for you and your team. 🙏🏾 🇧🇷 https://t.co/GGk1kOCsvx
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 13, 2022
Brazil has one more champ tonight! Congrats to pereira. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) November 13, 2022
What a sad night 😭
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) November 13, 2022
Izzy can't beat em damn #UFC281
— Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) November 13, 2022
