- By Paul Battison
- ` Sport
1 hour ago
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Adesanya earned his 13th win in 15 UFC fights
Israel Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight title from longtime bitter rival Alex Pereira with a spectacular knockout at UFC 287 in Miami, Florida.
With his back against the cage in round two, Adesanya, 33, unleashed two crushing right hands to send Pereira, 35, to the canvas.
The victory avenged three previous Adesanya losses to Pereira.
He lost twice in kickboxing in 2016 and 2017 and in November at UFC 281.
“I hope each of you can experience that level of happiness once in your life,” said Nigerian-born New Zealander Adesanya.
“But guess what – you’ll never feel that level of happiness if you don’t make a difference in your life. If they knock you down if you stay down you will never achieve that determination.
“Strengthen your spirit and feel that level of happiness. I am blessed to feel this over and over again.”
In the co-main event, Brazilian Gilbert Burns defeated his hometown favorite Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision and then claimed a title fight with British Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards.
UFC President Dana White previously said American Colby Covington is next for Edwards, but a second straight win for fifth-seeded Burns, 36, could put him on the cover picture.
“I’m the only guy in the entire UFC that’s ready to fight anyone, anytime,” Burns said.
“If they call me to fight the devil, you know what I’m going to say. That being said, Leon Edwards, I’m coming for you.”
Masvidal, 38, announced his retirement after a remarkable 20-year career that has culminated in 35 wins from 52 fights.
Adesanya defeats his nemesis
After Adesanya’s second kickboxing loss in 2017, he transitioned to MMA full-time, where he became the 2019 UFC middleweight champion and dominated the division for three years, defending the unified belt five times.
But after achieving everything he wanted in kickboxing, where he was a multi-weight champion, Pereira followed Adesanya to the UFC and was quickly guided to a title shot after victories in his first three bouts.
In that encounter, Pereira beat Adesanya in the octagon, setting up an immediate rematch and fourth bout between the two.
Adesanya wore a dog collar during his strike and said before the fight that if he takes it off, he will be released in the octagon.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan, meanwhile, described Pereira’s strike as “bone cold” as he stopped halfway to shout and mimic the firing of a bow and arrow, a nod to his indigenous roots in Brazil.
In the early stages of the bout, both fighters threw numerous feints and attacked with leg kicks, with Adesanya moving away from Pereira’s dangerous left hook while trying to keep the Brazilian in reverse.
The second round brought the fight to life as Pereira applied pressure and attacked Adesanya in reminiscence of scenes from their November fight against the cage.
However, unlike their last encounter, Adesanya was able to avoid damage and counterattack with two flush right hands, leaving Pereira flat on her back.
Adesanya roared with delight before celebrating, mimicking Pereira’s taunt with a bow and arrow.
The win makes Adesanya a two-time middleweight champion and inflicted Pereira’s first five-fight loss of his UFC career.
“I told you the hunter is now the hunted. Thank you for hitting me because hitting made me a better fighter, a better person,” Adesanya said.
“I didn’t do that in this camp [mess] around. If you know me, I like to take vacations, but I fell by the wayside and fought my way through it.”
Veteran Masvidal ends his career
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Masvidal, right, hinted ahead of the fight that he would retire with a loss to Burns
Masvidal was aiming for a convincing win over Burns before his passionate home support in Miami to set up a potential title fight with longtime rival Edwards.
Masvidal and Edwards were involved in a backstage altercation in 2019 and were due to fight in December 2021 but the American pulled out with an injury.
Instead, it’s Burns who enters the cover after besting Masvidal while landing some big right hands in the final round.
The loss was Masvidal’s fourth straight and he removed his gloves ahead of the post-fight interview to signal his retirement.
A veteran of 22 UFC fights, Masvidal has secured 17 finishes over his career, with his five-second knockout against Ben Askren in 2019 being the fastest in UFC history.
“Sometimes your favorite basketball player doesn’t have that three-pointer anymore. I don’t feel that way anymore when I come in here,” said Masvidal.
“UFC came here 20 years ago and it inspired me to pursue that dream. Hopefully I’ve inspired someone out there to follow theirs, whether it’s in the world of sports, entertainment, or Nine to Five.
“I started with nothing, now I’m a multi-millionaire and set for life. It’s been 20 long years. I love you guys.”
Elsewhere, Raul Rosas Jr., who at 18 is the youngest fighter in UFC history, suffered his first loss in promotion, losing a unanimous decision to Christian Rodriguez.
Californian Rosas Jr. earned a spot in promotion last year and won his first fight in December but failed to get the upper hand in wrestling with 25-year-old Rodriguez.
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