UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya 2, Predictions, Preview & Odds
Check out our UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya prediction, preview and all the betting odds for the MMA action this Saturday night.
How To Watch UFC 287
Start Time: The early prelims start at 11 pm GMT, the prelims start at 1 am and the main card begins at 3 am.
What TV Channel? BT Sport 1, coverage begins at 12.30 am Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Location: Miami, Florida, United States
UFC 287 Main Card & Preliminary Card
Main Card
Main Event Middleweight: Alex Pereira (c) vs. Israel Adesanya
Welterweight: Gilbert Burns vs. vs Jorge Masvidal
Bantamweight: Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez
Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodriguez
Preliminary Card
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Chris Curtis
Women’s Strawweight: Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs Luana Pinheiro
Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Joe Pyfer
Heavyweight: Karl Williams vs. Chase Sherman
UFC 287 Picks & Predictions
Alex Pereira (c) vs. Israel Adesanya
Fighter Records
Alex Pereira (c) 7-1-0 | Israel Adesanya 23-2-0
Form
Alex Pereira (35) is undefeated since signing for the UFC in September 2021 making his debut the following November v Andreas Michailidis winning the fight via technical knockout in round two earning Performance of the Night and currently has a record of four wins from four fights in the promotion.
The former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya (33) had successfully defended the championship five times before being knocked out via TKO in Round 5 at UFC 281. That was the first time he had been stopped in his career.
Fighting styles
Pereira: Kickboxing | Adesanya: Striker
Fight Analysis
This is a repeat matchup between two fighters who fought back in UFC 281. In the last fight, Israel was 3 v 1 round up going into the final round having controlled most of the fight with his superior and efficient striking.
However, heading into the fight Pereira was known for his stoppage victories either via KO or TKO and so he was always going to be a dangerous opponent for Israel heading into the final round and that is how it turned out.
After Adesanya lost his balance from a kick, Pereira took control backing him up into the cage and unloading with power punches. Several heavy shots landed clean — including a big left hook — and a reeling Adesanya falls to the canvas before battling up on shaky legs. But as determines that Adesanya isn’t intelligently defending himself anymore.
This very well could be the story of the fight again with Israel dominating but with Pereira always capable of the stoppage victory. That being said I think Israel can avoid any onslaught better this time and if it goes the distance Adesanya is the only winner.
Prediction: Israel Adesanya by Decision or Technical Decision 7/4
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Gilbert Burns vs Jorge Masvidal
Fighter Records
Gilbert Burns: 21-5-0 | Jorge Masvidal: 35-16-0
Form
Burns’s last fight ended in a victory when he defeated Neil Magny by Submission (arm-triangle choke) on January 4:15 into the First Round. Over his last five fights, Burns has a record of 3-2 with one win via decision and one by submission.
Jorge last fought over a year ago at UFC 272 where he was defeated by Colby Covington via Unanimous Decision. The veteran fighter (38) has lost his last three fights and hasn’t won since his victory over Nate Diaz in November 2019.
Fighting styles
Burns: Striker | Masvidal: Wrestling/Striker
Fight Analysis
Burns is a huge favourite going into this fight and it’s not hard to see why. The Brazilian is a powerful striker who is also more than capable on the canvas, 15 of his career victories have come early 6 by knockout and 9 by submission. I can’t see this one lasting the full five rounds.
As mentioned, Masvidal has lost his last three fights and not winning since 2019. I can’t see him getting close to victory here he is past his best.
Prediction: Gilbert Burns wins in Round 3 10/1
Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez
Fighter Records
Rob Font: 19-6-0 | Adrian Yanez: 16-3-0
Form
Rob Font (35) lost two of his last two fights v Marlon Vera in April 2022 along with Joe Aldo in December 2021 both came via decision. However, that fight v Marlon was fought awarded Fight of the Night.
Adrian Yanez (29) comes into this fight unbeaten in the UFC with six wins from six bouts dating back to his first fight during Dana White’s Contender Series 28 in 2020. Coming into the fight he has said “Giving Rob Font his first KO loss ‘skyrockets me into another stratosphere’.
Fighting styles
Font: Striker | Yanez: Boxing
Fight Analysis
This is a really tough fight to call with Font’s experience coming up against the youthful Yanez. What is interesting is Adrian’s claim that he wishes to knock Font out has been countered by Font who plans to “mix it up” by submitting Yanez’s “I want to get him down and get him out of there” so expect him trying to bring it to the ground.
Font has only one submission win in his career, I think he will leave himself open to Yanez to win via KO/TKO
Prediction: Adrian Yanez Wins in Round 2 5/1
Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
Fighter Records
Kevin Holland: 23-9-1 | Santiago Ponzinibbio: 29-6-0
Form
Kevin Holland (30) has lost his last two fights, losing via TKO in Round 4 v Stephen Thompson back in December which won Fight of the Night and via submission v Khamzat Chimaev last September. His last win came v Tim Means via submission last June.
Santiago Ponzinibbio (36) comes into this fight following a victory over Alex Morono at UFC 282 via KO in Round 3but before that he had lost three of his last four bouts.
Fighting styles
Kevin Holland: Kung FU | Santiago Ponzinibbio: Striker
Fight Analysis
The oddsmakers have installed the much younger Holland as the heavy favourite I cannot see past him either. Holland has been described as having a devastating combination of length and power and he routinely hurts just about everyone he fights. Santiago is also not as durable as he once was so I can see this fight being stopped.
Holland is to win by stoppage.
Prediction: Kevin Holland by KO, TKO or Disqualification 2/1
Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodriguez
Fighter Records
Raul Rosas Jr: 7-0-0 | Christian Rodriguez 8-1-0
Form
Raul Rosas Jr (18) is unbeaten in his career to date with 1 win by knockout and 4 via submission, His placement on this weekends Main Card has been widely criticised with many suggesting he does not deserve it to which he replies “‘They should take some notes if they want to be on the PPV main card’.
Rodriguez (25) from his eight victories has three via KO/TKO, four wins by submission and one by decision.
Fighting styles
Raul Rosas Jr: Freestyle: Christian Rodriguez: Freestyle
Fight Analysis
Rosas Jr. fights full of confidence, as you would expect with an undefeated teenage fighter, his strongest aspects of his game are his Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling ability. Think he will be looking to take this fight to ground and attempt submit Rodriguez at the first and every available opportunity.
Rodriguez like Rosas is a strong grappler who will be looking to submit his opponent and I think his experience in years could prove pivotal v the arrogant teenage up-start.
Prediction: Christian Rodriguez by Submission 11/1
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