Israel Adesanya admits crying after win over Jared Cannonier.

KARACHI -- Israel Adesanya has acknowledged that he cried after defeating Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision in July.

This weekend at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden, the UFC middleweight champion will make a comeback to defend his title against former two-time kickboxing foe Alex Pereira. Adesanya has received criticism for his recent 185-pound performances after winning all three of his fights by unanimous decisions without recording a stoppage.

His performance against unsuccessful challenger Cannonier drew harsh criticism, and UFC supporters threatened to stop purchasing pay-per-views for his fights in response.

Adesanya has acknowledged that he was disappointed with his last outing, especially after placing undue pressure on himself to put on a strong show at International Fight Week.

"I don't hold on to things. I let myself feel them. People try to deny things and block it, if you fight your emotions they'll get you later on. So I feel it. I cried backstage. Me and [coach] Eugene [Bareman] hugged it out and he told me, 'Don't worry, you'll be fine.' "I was like, 'Just give me a bourbon, I'll be fine," Adesanya told the MMA Hour.

"So I expressed it, feel it, and I let it go. It's a good way to release emotions, it relaxes you. It's just a normal human function, I don't know...