UFC 287 results: Israel Adesanya gets revenge on Alex Pereira, shoots down arrows after brutal KO

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Israel Adesanya finally landed the punches he sought for years – and when they landed, he once again became the UFC middleweight champion.

In the UFC 287 main event Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami, Adesanya (23-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) defeated Alex Pereira (7-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) by knockout at 4:21 of Round 2.

The fight Saturday was the rivalry’s fourth in combat sports and the second in MMA. It was also the first Adesanya won. Pereira entered the bout at 3-0 in the lifetime series, with two kickboxing wins (one by knockout and one by decision) and a UFC title-earning TKO victory over Adesanya at UFC 281 in November. Both of Pereira’s stoppage victories were late-round comebacks, further igniting the uneasy feelings with Adesanya.

The first round was a leg kick battle. Adesanya utilized his technical striking as Pereira leaned on his signature power. A close opening five minutes of point-fighting was followed by a more aggressive second round from both fighters, particularly Pereira, who landed a hard knee and punches combination.

With Adesanya against the cage, Pereira attempted more strikes but was met by two conscious-stealing right hands. Adesanya landed one massive hammerfist follow-up before referee Dan Miragliotta dove in to save the stiffened Pereira.

That’s when the celebration began. Adesanya stood over his long-time rival and pretended to shoot arrows at his downed opponent, a play on Pereira’s signature walkout motions. Breakdancing followed before the UFC middleweight title was once again wrapped around Adesanya’s waist.

Adesanya, 33, earns his title back following the UFC 281 loss by TKO in November. He moves to 8-2 in UFC title fights as he embarks on his second stint as middleweight champion.

Pereira, 35, who pivoted to MMA full-fledged in 2020, loses for the first time since his professional debut in 2015. He was fast-tracked to the title prior to his championship win in November with wins over Andreas Michailidis, Bruno Silva, and Sean Strickland.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 287 results include:

Alex Pereira def. Israel Adesanya via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 4:21 Gilbert Burns def. Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Rob Font def. Adrian Yanez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:57 Kevin Holland def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 3:16 Christian Rodriguez def. Raul Rosas Jr. via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Kelvin Gastelum def. Chris Curtis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Luana Pinheiro def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Joe Pyfer def. Gerald Meerschaert via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:15 Loopy Godinez def. Cynthia Calvillo via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27) Ignacio Bahamondes def. Trey Ogden via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Steve Garcia def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke via knockout (body kick, punches) – Round 2, 0:36 Sam Hughes def. Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 287.

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