UFC 287 “Pereira Vs Adesanya 2” + Weekly MMA Report
There was no UFC last week, but we witnessed pretty solid fights at Bellator 293 and PFL. We saw many great combats.
Bellator 293 / PFL Season 1 Recap
The main event of the evening was a great banger, where Daniel James scored a stunning comeback KO against Marcelo Golm. The co-main event of the evening was a technical war. The former UFC title contender Cat Zingano defeated Leah McCourt via decision.
𝗛𝗘'𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧! 👊💥@djames1981 storms out of the gates in round 3 and gets the KO!#Bellator293 | Watch LIVE on @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/3RYahPnsTV
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 1, 2023
PFL brought many entertaining battles too, but Brendan Loughnane surprisingly chopped Marlon Moraes down with nasty leg kicks, so the fight ended via TKO. In the co-main, the former UFC title contender Thiago Santos squared off against Rob Wilkinson, but Wilkinson dominated all the time and scored a unanimous decision nod.
That. Does. IT. Brendan Loughnane chops down Marlon Moraes for the Finish!#2023PFL1 LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomD5xg pic.twitter.com/ZzHMQomvKw— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 2, 2023
UFC 287 Announcement
It is time to focus on the upcoming UFC 287 event. The promotion travels to Miami, Florida, and it will be headlined by the amazing 185-pound title bout between two superb strikers – Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. The two already met once in the UFC Octagon. Pereira was down on the scorecards, but he miraculously stopped Adesanya in the fifth round via a flurry of punches against the cage.
Image source: @UFCBrasil Twitter
Main Event
Israel Adesanya is a technical fighter. His trademarks are footwork, great kicks, and superb angling. Adesanya trained in Taekwondo when he was younger, then transitioned to kickboxing where he scored many victories over the greatest legends in the game. His mindset is on point, he’s ready to fight until the last dying breath. The former UFC 185-pound champ holds notable wins over Yoel Romero, Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and many other UFC stars.
Alex Pereira is a one-punch knockout artist and a huge gym fan. Pereira doesn’t look like a bodybuilder, but believe me, you don’t wanna be in the way of his brutal left hook. Alex put many fighters to sleep, and the only guy who survived until the final bell against him was Bruno Silva. Pereira’s powerful strikes could turn the lights out so easily. Adesanya will have to fight tactically if he plans to win the rematch.
Prediction: Pereira to win
Co-Main Event
The co-main event of the evening brings an eye-catching welterweight clash between a submission specialist with amazing kickboxing background, Gilbert Burns, and the controversial BMF title owner, Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal.
Burns is way better on the ground thanks to his submission wrestling background, BJJ black belt, and amazing jiu-jitsu experience. The former ADCC champ is a master of armbars. If the fight stays on the feet, Gilbert pieces his foes up with dangerous hooks and leg kicks. He is a very fast and explosive fighter.
Jorge Masvidal’s left hook is very accurate, but his takedown and submission defense are questionable. As long as Masvidal keeps the fight standing, he should have the chance. But Gilbert is just too dangerous on the canvas.
Prediction: Gilbert to win
UFC 287 Full Fight Card
Please check the UFC 287 full fight card below, but keep an eye on the tapology link. UFC is known for last-minute changes.
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV, 10 PM ET, 3 AM UK TIME)
UFC Middleweight Title Fight: Alex Pereira (7-1-0) vs. Israel Adesanya (23-2-0)
Welterweight: Gilbert Burns (21-5-0) vs. Jorge Masvidal (35-16-0)
Bantamweight: Rob Font (19-6-0) vs. Adrian Yanez (16-3-0)
Welterweight: Kevin Holland (23-9-0) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-6-0)
Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. (7-0-0) vs. Christian Rodriguez (8-1-0)
Preliminary Card (ESPN, UFC On Fight Pass, 8 PM ET, 1 AM UK TIME)
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum (17-8-0) vs. Chris Curtis (30-9-0)
Strawweight: Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-10-0) vs. Luana Pinheiro (10-1-0)
Heavyweight: Karl Williams (8-1-0) vs. Chase Sherman (16-11-0)
Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert (35-15-0) vs. Joseph Pyfer (10-2-0)
Early Prelims (ESPN+, UFC On Fight Pass, 6 PM ET, 11 PM UK TIME)
Strawweight: Cynthia Calvillo (9-5-1) vs. Lupita Godinez (8-3-0)
Catchweight: Trey Ogden (16-5-0) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (13-4-0)
Featherweight: Steve Garcia (13-5-0) vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (39-10-0)
Strawweight: Sam Hughes (7-5-0) vs. Jaqueline Amorim (6-0-0)
UFC 287 Predictions
Please take a look at my UFC 287 PPV picks and predictions in the playlist below. Good luck!
UFC 287 is stacked from top to bottom. Sit next to your watching device at 6 PM ET! Can Israel Adesanya reclaim the 185-pound belt? We’re about to see it!
[…] UFC 287 took part last week, and we witnessed many high-level finishes and technical wars. Let’s look back at the previous event. […]