Despite going 0-3 against Alex Pereira in kickboxing and the UFC, Israel Adesanya was the betting favorite on Satuday night heading into the highly-anticipated UFC 287 main event with the middleweight title on the line.
Much to the satisfaction of his supporters, which included Drake who staked $900,000 USD in Bitcoin on the fighter, Adesanya finally got his revenge as he put Pereira away in the second round with a vicious KO.
In the first round, Pereira looked in control as he landed several calf kicks and showed a clear power advantage with his jabs. Full of confidence, it looked to be more of the same heading into the second round. Cornering Izzy against the cage, Pereira began landing combinations as his opponent covered up. However, Adesanya was playing possum, as he admitted later, and fired off several quick right hands and a hammerfist, knocking Pereira out cold to regain the UFC middleweight title.
Prior to the fight, Pereira comes off a seven-fight win streak and is the only man to have knocked Adesanya out in competition. Performance of the night went to Israel Adesanya and Rob Font while Fight of the Night went to Chris Curtis and Kelvin Gastelum. Other highlights of the night include Gilbert Burns’ victory over Jorge Masvidal. After more than 20 years and 50 fights, Masvidal announced his retirement where it all started for him, in the city of Miami.
Take a look at some of the highlights below and stay tuned for more details.
Go Octagon-side for THE knockout of the night ? #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/RSB0P6aiZq
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
It doesn’t get more inspirational than THIS ?
Pure joy for @Stylebender #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/fVhL9HyYxH
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
Stylebender and Poatan exchange words after their latest battle ?
There is no sport like Mixed Martial Arts. #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/qo57Azkfbs
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
After a storied career in the fight game, @GamebredFighter is calling it a career
THANK YOU JORGE ? #UFC289 pic.twitter.com/XrpDQiTEpl
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
In other news, New Balance crafts custom baseball glove for Shohei Ohtani.
