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Israel Adesanya Knocks Out Alex Pereira at UFC 287

Also, Jorge Masivdal retires after loss.

Justin Barrasso

Israel Adesanya Knocks Out Alex Pereira at UFC 287
Israel Adesanya Knocks Out Alex Pereira at UFC 287 /

Israel Adesanya overcomes Alex Pereira with career-defining knockout

Israel Adesanya is the best in the world. Again.

Adesanya finally overcame Alex Pereira, knocking him out as he regained the middleweight championship Saturday night at UFC 287.

Clearly, Pereira did not respect the power of Adesanya. Perhaps, after three straight victories at Adesanya’s expense, that was inevitable. Yet Adesanya willed himself to an entirely new level of greatness in this bout, knocking out his rival with back-to-back right hands in the second round.

Pereira (7-2) looked impressive in the opening round. Midway through the second, he had landed 60 percent of his strikes and did damage to Adesanya’s lead leg. But Adesanya (24-2) took advantage the moment Pereira dropped his hands. Adesanya’s focus was turning the aggression around on Pereira, and he was successful in the execution of that game plan.

This is the most spectacular victory of Adesanya’s career. He trapped Pereira, shelled up against the cage and absorbed the heat while waiting for his opening. Pereira was pressing with his hands down, very similar to what happened in the fifth round in their bout last November–but Adesanya was far fresher in the second round tonight.

Regaining the title, especially in this fashion, is an all-time moment for Adesanya. He slayed the one opponent that he could not beat, adding a new chapter to his legend.

Gilbert Burns wins; Jorge Masvidal retires

In a very competitive bout, Gilbert Burns defeated Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision.

The victory allows Burns (22-5) to maintain his position in the upper echelon of the welterweight division, trailing only Colby Covington for a shot at reigning champ Leon Edwards.

Courtesy UFC

Burns was able to land his right hand in the first round, and that is exactly how he opened the second. A takedown of Masvidal allowed Burns to control the majority of the round on the ground, winning the round through his control. Once they were back on their feet in the final minute, Burns was also able to land a solid right hand.

Masvidal controlled the first 90 seconds of the third round, until Burns started landing his right hand. The shots did a number on Masvidal, and though Burns took a combination from Masvidal, he landed a critical takedown with a minute remaining in the fight.

The loss marked Masvidal's fourth in a row. Following the fight, Masvidal (35-17) announced his retirement.

Masvidal put together an amazing career, one that will not be marred by his losing streak. Masvidal will be remembered for his three-fight win streak in 2019, especially his viral knockout of Ben Askren.

Explosive performance from Rob Font at UFC 287

Adrian Yanez wanted to trade shots with Rob Font.

That was a massive mistake.

Font returned to pay-per-view for the first time in five years, and he put forth a highlight reel showing against Yanez.

Courtesy UFC

Font (20-6) won by TKO, the result of his jab landing again and again. Yanez (16-4) did damage to Font’s left eye while they traded shots, but then Font started drilling Yanez with a flurry of jabs, and his right hand effectively ended the bout.

After losing his last two bouts, this represented a much-needed victory for Font. He also ended Yanez’s nine-fight win streak, and immediately puts himself back on a short list of bantamweight contenders. If he can piece together another two wins against opponents ranked above him, Font could be at the top of the title picture.

Kevin Holland wins by KO

Kevin Holland has re-entered the win column.

Courtesy UFC

A picturesque left hook from Holland ended Santiago Ponzinibbio’s night. Holland won the first two rounds, then put an exclamation point on the performance with his third-round knockout. This ends Holland’s two-fight losing streak, and he did it in style.

Holland (24-9, 1 NC) was at his best, mixing in a flurry of strikes and kicks that gave constant problems to Ponzinibbio (29-7). The timing of the knockout was especially opportune, as it appeared Holland had just injured his right hand.

Following the victory, Holland called out Jorge Masvidal for a shot at the ceremonial BMF belt, which would be a really fun fight to watch.

In the moment, Ponzinibbio was critical of the referee stoppage. But it was, without question, the right call. He was defenseless after Holland dropped him with that left hook, and ending the fight was the only call.

Lawler-MacDonald bout from UFC 189 to be inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame

The newest UFC Hall of Fame announcement was made at UFC 287, as the classic 2015 fight pitting Robbie Lawler against Rory MacDonald will be inducted into the “Fight Wing” as a part of the class of 2023.

Courtesy UFC

“The fight between Robbie Lawler and Rory McDonald at UFC 189 was one of the most exciting fights in UFC history,” UFC President Dana White said in a press release. “This was an absolute war and a complete display of heart, grit, determination, and the will to win from both athletes. This five-round classic will always be remembered as one of the best and I can’t wait to induct this fight into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Lawler won the bout, defending his welterweight title, via a fifth-round TKO that ended this epic encounter.

Christian Rodriguez breaks Raul Rosas Jr.'s undefeated streak

Christian Rodriguez played the role of spoiler at UFC 287, handing Raul Rosas Jr. his first loss.

Courtesy UFC

The 18-year-old Rosas had never faced the type of adversity that Rodriguez put in front of him, especially when Rodriguez out-scrambled him. This is a great victory for the 25-year-old Rodriguez, who takes away Rosas’s undefeated record.

Rodriguez (9–1) won the bout by unanimous decision, and he escaped Rosas’s submission attempts in the opening round.

Rosas (7–1) controlled the opening round. He worked very hard for the clinch in the opening moment of the fight. His relentless pursuit of the takedown paid off early, as he got one 90 seconds into the round. Rosas took Rodriguez’s back, yet could not apply full leverage of the choke.

Rodriguez seized control in the second round, taking advantage of a fatigued Rosas. He put Rosas in real trouble for the first time in his career, bullying him to the ground and maintaining back control. This was clearly one round a piece entering the third.

Separation in the third round came from Rodriguez’s ground and pound. Rosas was overwhelmed by Rodriguez, accounting for his first loss. The only downside to this bout was Rodriguez failing to meet weight—otherwise, it was an extremely impressive showing.

Gilbert Burns sees a title shot in his future if he defeats Jorge Masvidal.

“This is a test for me to get to the title,” says Burns. “Jorge is the next guy in my way.”

Burns fights Masvidal in the co-main event of tonight’s UFC 287, a bout with significant title implications in the welterweight division. Reigning champ Leon Edwards is tentatively scheduled to defend his title against Colby Covington, but a victory here should put Burns next in line for the winner of that bout.

“Jorge is going to be hungry,” says Burns. “It will take a lot of work to put him down. I’ve got to go out there and finish him, and I’ll be one step closer to my goal.”

The Burns-Masvidal bout is part of an extremely solid UFC 287 card, which is highlighted by Israel Adesanya challenging Alex Pereira for the middleweight title. That is a rematch from this past November, where Pereira defeated Adesanya by TKO. After running through the division, Adesanya has now found an opponent he seemingly cannot beat. That fight will be full of tension, and the build to the main event should also be compelling.

The 287 card features Kevin Holland seeking to break his two-fight losing streak in a welterweight bout against Santiago Ponzinibbio. Teenage sensation Raul Rosas Jr. looks to extend his undefeated streak as he fights Christian Rodriguez. This was intended to be a bantamweight bout, but Rodriguez missed weight, making it a catchweight affair with 20 percent of Rodriguez’s purse already going to the 18-year-old Rosas. And after losing his last two, Rob Font looks to reassert himself in the bantamweight title picture–but he will have his work cut out for him against Adrian Yanez, who has won nine in a row.

While the centerpiece of the card is Adesanya-Pereira, the Burns-Masvidal co-main should be compelling, especially considering it is only a three-round bout.

“It’s going to be a crazy first and second round,” says Burns. “Someone is going down, and I hope it’s Jorge.

“I want a good win to show that I’m next for the title. That’s the goal. Go out there, get a spectacular finish, and get a title shot.”

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Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

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