Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to pay-per-view with UFC 281, which features two titles on the line.
While Adesanya (23-1) has been a dominant champ with his only mixed martial arts defeat coming at light heavyweight against then-champion Jan Blachowicz, he was previously knocked out by Pereira (6-1) in kickboxing. The hard-hitting Brazilian will look to repeat this feat on Saturday and officially weighed in at 184.6 pounds. Meanwhile, Adesanya weighed 185 pounds on the dot.
Meanwhile, Esparza (19-6) is the underdog in the first title defense of her second reign as strawweight champion. "Cookie Monster" won the belt back after a dull fight against Rose Namajunas, which saw neither fighter want to engage. Challenger and former champ Zhang (22-3) will make sure there's more action as the Chinese fighter always comes forward. Esparza and Weili both weighed 114.8 pounds.
UFC 281's main card will air live on ESPN+ pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Prelims begin at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass before moving to ESPN+ and ESPNEWS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Order UFC 281 "Adesanya vs. Pereira" exclusively on ESPN+
UFC 281 Weigh-in Results:
Israel Adesanya (185) vs. Alex Pereira (184.6)Carla Esparza (114.8) vs. Weili Zhang (114.8)
Michael Chandler (155.8) vs. Dustin Poirier (156)
Frankie Edgar (135.6) vs. Chris Gutierrez (136)
Dan Hooker (155.8) vs. Claudio Puelles (155.2)
Renato Carneiro (155.8) vs. Brad Riddell (155.6)
Dominick Reyes (205.4) vs. Ryan Spann (206.6)*
Erin Blanchfield (125) vs. Molly McCann (125.4)
Andre Petroski (185.8) vs. Wellington Turman (185.2)
Ottman Azaitar (155.6) vs. Matt Frevola (154.8)
Silvana Gomez Juarez (115.6) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (115.6)
Seung Woo Choi (145.6) vs. Michael Trizano (147.6)**
Julio Arce (135.8) vs. Montel Jackson (135.8)
Nicolae Negumereanu (206) vs. Carlos Ulberg (205.2)
*Spann missed weight by .6 pounds.
**Trizano missed weight by 1.6 pounds.