UFC 287
Review
For the first time in over 20 years, the UFC returns to Miami.
And all this with a spectacular card. We'll recap this incredible event for you.
Burns vs. Masvidal
The fight for the next title opportunity does not go to Miami...
We start with "Miami's Own": Jorge Masvidal, who became known through videos of street fights in his hometown of Miami, against Gilbert Burns, who also lives just 30 minutes away.
The spectacle didn't materialize; in a solid, but by no means breathtaking, fight, a strong "Durinho" showed why he wants to be in the ring himself for the welterweight title fight after next. He dominated Masvidal, especially on the ground, demonstrated his tireless will, and deservedly won by unanimous decision.
The evening was a disappointment for Masvidal. In his hometown, where he is practically idolized as a superstar, he was unable to make the hoped-for grand, and possibly final, return to the top of the welterweight division. As he did against Colby Covington, he looked somewhat weak and tired, especially on the ground and in the clinch. Furthermore, Gamebred was once again unable to demonstrate his trademark striking.
It had been brewing during the fight, and he officially announced it in the post-fight interview: Jorge Masvidal is ending his spectacular career at the age of 39 after over 50 professional fights. We take our hats off to him and thank him for all the spectacular moments. Despite the loss, he was the winner for Miami that evening.
Pereira vs. Adesanya
Right, Right, KO
Perhaps the most legendary rivalry between two mixed martial artists of all time. This time, Alex Pereira entered the Octagon as champion and the hunted, for the fourth time against Israel Adesanya. Pre-fight score: 3-0 Pereira (2 wins in kickboxing, 1 win in the UFC – more on that in Fight History ).
Pereira started the fight well, looking dangerous as always and hurting "Izzy" with some solid kicks. The Brazilian drew blood after a few powerful calf kicks and drove the New Zealander against the cage. It looked like another victory for Pereira, which would have ended the rivalry once and for all. But the tireless Adesanya had a different plan: With his back to the cage, he unleashed two powerful rights out of nowhere and, in two terrific strikes, knocked out Pereira, who many called too aggressive and impatient, cold.
So he got his revenge. A revenge that couldn't have tasted sweeter: a stone-cold knockout of the man who had pursued and defeated him for so many years. The man who had been his greatest rival and nightmare. Israel Adesanya seems to have put the subject of Alex "Poatan" Pereira aside for now, despite a total score of 3-1 in favor of Pereira. The New Zealander is once again champion and ruler of his middleweight division.
The nearly 20,000 fans in Miami couldn't have wished for a more spectacular ending. Few would have expected that the 1.93-meter-tall Alex Pereira would only be back on his feet a minute after the knockout. The stylebender celebrated his knockout with a bow and arrow, a gesture that is normally Pereira's trademark. There couldn't be more satisfaction. An incredible finish from Adesanya, he deservedly took home Performance of the Night.
Main Card
Big names kept their promise
We also don't want to withhold the three previous fights from you. In the bantamweight clash between Rob Font and Adrian Yanez, veteran Font was able to demonstrate his incredible boxing. After a great combination in the first round, the night was already over for Yanez. Font also received the Performance of the Night bonus of $50,000.
Before that, Holland showed that Dana White can still count on him when it comes to creating a spectacle on the main card. After two strong rounds, he finished Ponzinibbio with a beautiful left.
The first fight on the main card featured arguably the biggest surprise of the UFC night. Up-and-coming Mexican Raul Rosas Jr. was defeated by Christian Rodriguez by decision and now knows he still has a lot to learn.
What happens next?
Next challenge?
For Gilbert Burns, it's likely to be a case of training in the gym for the time being. There's a lot of evidence to suggest that Durinho will be the next to challenge the titleholder after champion Edwards' fight against Covington.
Things are more complicated at middleweight: A renewed clash between Adesanya and Pereira seems like too much of a good thing. Their paths have parted for now, but the rivalry isn't over. According to Dana White, "Poatan" will initially fight at light-heavyweight, leaving Israel Adesanya in a division in which the New Zealander has already defeated every opponent (sometimes multiple times). The next serious title challenger will likely be Khamzat Chimaev. However, he will certainly have to face a top middleweight contender first.