UFC 287 Fight Card: Pereira vs Adesanya 2

The UFC 287 fight card, Pereira vs Adesanya 2 is set to go down Saturday April 8, 2023 from the Kaseya Center in Miami. The event will be airing live on Pay-per-view through ESPN+ at 9:00pm CDT.

Main Event

The long awaited rematch of Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya. Israel Adesanya lost two kickboxing bouts to Alex Pereira prior to his run in the UFC. One by decision and one by KO. Making this the forth time these two have squared off in a combat sports event.

The key for Adesanya would likely seem to be taking this fight to the ground. Having had success on the feet, and being such a phenomenal striker, Israel may have to convince himself more than anyone else. Israel should hold an edge over Pereira in the sheer hours spent training on the mat, as well as showing superiority on the ground in their first fight.

Alex Pereira’s rise is the story of a striker who turned his eye to a sport which suited this battle-hardened combat veteran. Alex Pereira was able to fast track his road to the championship and won the belt in just four UFC fights. Culminating in a title fight that put the world on notice, he now fights to cement his place in the sport.

Co-main Event

The quest to win over the UFC brass, and fan base, in order to warrant the next title shot over Colby Covington. Who he lost to by decision at both fighter’s last bout. Masvidal is on a 3 fight loss streak, though 2 of those losses were from Kamaru Usman the then pound for pound best UFC fighter.

Jorge Masvidal has undoubtedly been doing a lot of press leading up to UFC 287. Accordingly, this is definitely a merit to booking the fighter against current welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Edwards advocated for this matchup following his first title defense against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286.

Gilbert Burns, however, is not an opponent to take lightly. Burns is back on the winning track, following his round 1 submission win over Neil Magny earlier this year. It’s doubtful that he’s going to give up his #5 status in the division despite Masvidal’s ambitions. One of these two men is likely to be a title contender soon if not next.

UFC 287 Fight Card

Main Card (On pay-per-view at 9:00pm CDT)

Alex Pereira #c (7-1-0), (+115) vs Israel Adesanya #1 (23-2-0), (-135) – middleweight title bout

Gilbert Burns #5 (21-5-0), (-490) vs Jorge Masvidal #11 (35-16-0), (+390) – welterweight bout

Rob Font #6 (19-6-0), (+155) vs Adrian Yanez #12 (16-3-0), (-180) – bantamweight bout

Kevin Holland (23-9-0), (-245) vs Santiago Ponzinibbio (30-6-0), (+205) – welterweight bout

Raul Rosas Jr (), (-225) vs Christian Rodriguez (), (+190) – bantamweight bout

Prelims (Airing on ESPN+ at 7:00pm CDT)

Chris Curtis #14 (30-9-0), () vs Kelvin Gastelum #15 (17-8-0), () – middleweight bout

Michelle Waterson-Gomez #10 (18-10-0), (+140) vs Luana Pinheiro #15 (10-1-0), (-165) – women’s strawweight bout

Gerald Meerschaert (35-15-0), (+160) vs Joe Pyfer (9-2-0), (-190) – middleweight bout

Karl Williams (8-1-0), (+190) vs Chase Sherman (16-11-0), (-225) – heavyweight bout

Early Prelims (Airing on UFC Fight Pass at 5:00pm CDT)

Cynthia Calvillo #15 (9-5-1), (+230) vs Loopy Godinez (8-3-0), (-275) – women’s strawweight bout

Ignacio Bahamondes (13-4-0), (-345) vs Trey Ogden (16-5-0), (+285) – catchweight bout

Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (39-10-0), (-200) vs Steve Garcia (13-5-0), (+170) – featherweight bout

Jaqueline Amorim (debut), (-240) vs Sam Hughes (7-5-0), (+200) – women’s strawweight bout

That wraps it up for the UFC 287 fight card. If you enjoyed this article and want to see more of our UFC MMA action (and we certainly hope you do), follow the link. Check back with us following the epic night of action Saturday April 8, 2023 and see who is crowned the middleweight champion.

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