MIAMI: In what can be considered the ultimate redemption for Israel Adesanya, the “Last Stylebender” recaptured his UFC middleweight title in tremendous style last night at UFC 287 at Miami-Dade Arena when he stopped 185-pound champion Alex Pereira with a blistering second-round knockout.
Pereira landed early leg kicks forcing Adesanya out of orthodox stance before the Nigerian-born New Zealander began finding success from range, but he lost a step when he needed to switch to southpaw.
The Brazilian continued his onslaught into the second round and Adesanya started to buckle on his busted leg. That’s when the “Poatan” backed Adesanya against the cage and unleashed a combination of punches followed by a knee that seemed to hurt the “Last Stylebender”. However, in a fashion that appeared something out of a movie scene, or in Adesanya’s context: an anime, when the “Broken Native”, who was under a vicious flurry of punches from the haymaker Pereira, suddenly, out of nowhere, countered with two vicious right hands, knocking down the champion onto the canvas before landing one final blow rendering Pereira out cold.
ADESANYA GETS ONE BACK! HE KNOCKS PEREIRA OUT COLD! 😱 #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/P01reBg6je
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
After one of the most incredible performances of his career that puts him back on top of the sport, Adesanya gave an inspirational short speech in the octagon saying, “I hope everyone of you can feel this level of happiness… I hope all of you can feel how happy I am just once in your life….. but you won’t be able to do so unless you go for something… when they knock you down…, they talk crap about you…. if you stay down.., you will never be able to get that resolve…”
It doesn't get more inspirational than THIS 🙌
Pure joy for @Stylebender #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/fVhL9HyYxH
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
Other main card results
Welterweight Gilbert Burns earned another impressive win at UFC 287 in a fight that will ultimately serve as the final appearance for Jorge Masvidal. After the loss, Masvidal announced his retirement from the sport while telling Burns “go get that belt” as they embraced following a three-round battle.
Meanwhile, Rob Font proved he still is one of the most dangerous bantamweights in the sport after dispatching Adrian Yanez.
In another co-main event, Kevin Holland got back on track in brutal fashion after defeating Santiago Ponzinibbio via a devastating third-round knockout.
Preliminary card results
Kelvin Gastelum defeated Chris Curtis via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27).
Luana Pinheiro defeated Michelle Waterson-Gomez via a split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29).
Joe Pyfer defeated Gerald Meerschaert via a first-round TKO.
Lupita Godinez defeated Cynthia Calvillo via a split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29).
Ignacio Bahamondes claimed a unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) victory over Trey Ogden.
Steve Garcia knocked out Shayilan Nuerdanbieke 36 seconds into second-round.
Sam Hughes defeated Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Meanwhile, the heavyweight contest between Karl Williams and Chase Sherman was canceled.
