Alex “Poatan” Pereira has been a nightmare come to life for Israel Adesanya.
Not solely did the intimidating knockout artist and present UFC middleweight champion prevail over Adesanya twice once they competed as skilled kickboxers – as soon as was by choice in 2016 and the rematch in 2017 ended with Adesanya out chilly on the canvas – however years later Pereira determined to observe Adesanya into blended martial arts and finally caught up with him within the UFC.
Pereira, the primary simultaneous two-weight Glory world champion, made his UFC debut in 2021 and three wins later – two have been of the highlight-reel KO selection – he discovered himself face-to-face with Adesanya for a 3rd time.
The pair headlined UFC 281 this previous November at Madison Sq. Backyard besides this time they traded their 10oz kickboxing gloves for 4oz UFC gloves. Identical to of their second assembly, Pereira’s energy ended up being the distinction and he completed Adesanya in dramatic vogue (once more starting along with his elegant left hook) to turn into the brand new UFC champ.
The trilogy is about to turn into a tetralogy with the most recent rematch headlining Saturday’s UFC 287 at Miami’s newly named Kaseya Heart.
Adesanya is ready to compete in his tenth consecutive UFC title struggle, whereas this marks Pereira’s tenth skilled MMA bout ever.
All three earlier conferences have been aggressive with Adesanya coming near victory every time, but it’s Pereira up 3-0 within the rivalry.
Pereira was saved by the horn on the finish of the opening spherical at UFC 281 when Adesanya caught him flush with a proper hand-left hook combo that had him barely wobbled because the Brazilian headed again to his nook.
Adesanya has since mentioned he felt he would have completed the struggle if he had an addition two or three seconds.
Pereira battled again and gained the second spherical by touchdown extra complete strikes and securing a takedown on his solely try of the bout.
The third spherical was Adesanya’s finest. He took benefit of his extra well-rounded MMA talent set and gathered 3:47 of management time whereas administering a number of damaging ground-and-pound strikes. Don’t be stunned if Adesanya takes an analogous strategy early within the fourth assembly. Adesanya additionally gained the fourth spherical.
All three judges had Adesanya up 39-37 on an identical scorecards and he would’ve retained his title as long as he made it out of the ultimate spherical.
UFC 287 marks the second consecutive numbered UFC occasion headlined by a right away title rematch. Leon Edwards defended his welterweight title as an underdog champion in opposition to Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 final month. Pereira will look to do the identical versus Adesanya.
Each fighters formally made weight Friday morning and betting odds have tightened all through the week because the anticipated rematch inches nearer.
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ALEX PEREIRA VS. ISRAEL ADESANYA BETTING ODDS
Pereira to win +100 | Adesanya to win -125 | Draw +5200
Pereira by KO/TKO/DQ +195 | Adesanya by KO/TKO/DQ +295
Pereira by choice +525 | Adesanya by choice +190
Pereira by submission +1800 | Adesanya by submission +1000
Over 4.5 rounds +100 | Underneath 4.5 rounds -130
Adesanya opened and closed as roughly a two-to-one favorite again at UFC 281 and was on the verge of his sixth consecutive middleweight title defence earlier than Poatan’s fifth-round comeback.
Adesanya is once more the favorite heading into UFC 287, nonetheless it’s near a tossup. The previous champ hasn’t closed as this quick a favorite since his first struggle with Robert Whittaker when he preliminary gained the belt in 2019.
That is the third consecutive struggle by which Pereira has entered because the betting canine.
MAIN EVENT ROUND PROPS
Pereira in Spherical 1 +570 | Pereira in Spherical 2 +800 | Pereira in Spherical 3 +800 | Pereira in Spherical 4 +1000 | Pereira in Spherical 5 +1300 | Adesanya in Spherical 1 +900 | Adesanya in Spherical 2 +1100 | Adesanya in Spherical 3 +1300 | Adesanya in Spherical 4 +1600 | Adesanya in Spherical 5 +2000
Oddsmakers are giving a slight lean to underneath 4.5 rounds and the chances for the struggle ending inside the space are -178.
UFC 287 additionally encompasses a welterweight bout between former title challengers Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal who’ll be combating in entrance of his hometown followers.
Masvidal has misplaced three in a row courting again to 2019 however he nonetheless carries star energy and has a historical past with present 170-pound kingpin Leon Edwards (Masvidal sucker punched Edwards in March 2019 and that beef has by no means been squashed). It’s not exterior the realm of risk Masvidal might work his manner again into the title dialog with a powerful stoppage victory on Saturday.
However, if Burns picks up a one-sided win as the chances counsel are possible, it might find yourself being Masvidal’s ultimate UFC look.
UFC 287 MAIN CARD (moneyline odds):
— Alex Pereira (+100) vs. Israel Adesanya (-125)
— Gilbert Burns (-410) vs. Jorge Masvidal (+285)
— Rob Font (+160) vs. Adrian Yanez (-200)
— Kevin Holland (-285) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (+205)
— Raul Rosas Jr. (-305) vs. Christian Rodriguez (+220)
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Kelvin Gastelum (-135) vs. Chris Curtis (+105)
— Michelle Waterson-Gomez (+125) vs. Luana Pinheiro (-165)
— Gerald Meerschaert (+150) vs. Joe Pyfer (-190)
— Karl Williams (-500) vs. Chase Sherman (+335)
— Cynthia Calvillo (+215) vs. Lupita Godinez (-300)
— Ignacio Bahamondes (-400) vs. Trey Ogden (+285)
— Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (-200) vs. Steve Garcia (+155)
— Jaqueline Amorim (-275) vs. Sam Hughes (+200)
(Odds through Sports activities Interplay as of Friday afternoon and topic to vary)
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