UFC 287 Staff Picks: Pereira vs. Adesanya 2

UFC 287 Main Card

• Bantamweight Bout- Raul Rosas Jr. (7-0) vs. Christian Rodriguez (8-1)
• Welterweight Bout- Kevin Holland (23-9) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-6)
• Bantamweight Bout- #6 Rob Font (19-6) vs. #12 Adrian Yanez (16-3)
• Welterweight Bout- #5 Gilbert Burns (21-5) vs. #11 Jorge Masvidal (35-16)
• Middleweight Title Bout- (C) Alex Pereira (7-1) vs. #1 Israel Adesanya (23-2)

UFC 287 is scheduled for April 8th, 2023 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

UFC 287 Main Event

Tom Kowalsky: “With all the bright lights shining, in the biggest event of his life both by eyeballs and magnitude, Alex Pereira was able to get it done. Despite Izzy’s attempts to draw out his walk-in and threats of wrestling, Pereira was still able to find his chin in the fifth. Aside from that, if Pereira didn’t go for a takedown then Izzy wouldn’t have been able to win the scramble and that round. Additionally, if Pereira didn’t swarm Izzy at the end of the first I doubt he gets wobbled as he did, giving that close round to Adesanya. Add in a dedicated Glover Teixeira, inspiration from the “Ice Man" and the 20-30% increase in ability fighters seem to get once achieving the belt, and this looks like “Poatan" all day. Sorry Adesanya, it’s been real." Pereira via. KO/TKO Round 3

Justin Gibbons: “It is very hard to pick against an assassin like Alex Pereira, but with my picks, I am super loyal to those I have previously chosen, and it is no different with Israel Adesanya. I reference his fight with Kelvin Gastelum where he dug down deep and reached another level to earn his right to be champion as to why I will never pick against Adesanya. Sure, Alex Pereira has beaten him and had his number in all of their fights, but Adesanya has always been one to face adversity head-on. It will be an exciting fight that I for sure won’t miss." Adesanya via. KO/TKO Round 3

Cooper Burke: “Adesanya has spent years at the top before, and there"s no reason to think he can"t climb back there if he learns from his mistakes. He has to be wary of Perieira"s pop and utilize that head movement that has got him this far. If he can neutralize the striking threat, he can throw in a little wrestling- this seemed to throw off Pereira last time out, and Adesanya likely trained it hard in camp. He has to stick to what he knows, and stay on script- this is so hard for Adesanya, but Pereira strikes at those unforeseen moments and interrupts the flow of the fight. Adesanya will have to change how he fights, but he can do it." Adesanya via. Decision

Austin Marr: “I"m a bit torn here, it"s hard to deny that Pereira has had Adesanya"s number in each of their previous three fights, but it"s also hard to ignore the fact that Adesanya was winning and arguably dominating the last two fights up until the finish. I"ve still got to favor Adesanya here, I despise the term “lucky punch" when regarding something like Pereira"s fifth-round TKO victory over Adesanya in their last outing, but Adesanya is still the far superior overall MMA fighter. Luckily the defeat was a TKO and Adesanya wasn"t sent to the shadow realm so I"m banking on the former champ"s experience and more superior skillset." Adesanya via. Decision

UFC 287 Staff Picks

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