Israel Adesanya will have the chance to regain his title from Alex Pereira.
During a special live broadcast on social media UFC president Dana White made some major announcements including what’s next for the Middleweight championship.
The fourth fight second in MMA between Pereira & Adesanya will headline UFC 287 April 8th. Pereira dethroned Adesanya at UFC 281 in November. Adesanya had Pereira hurt badly at the end of the first round. Needing a finish in the fifth round The Brazilian let it all hang out nailing Adesanya with his devastating left hook and finishing the fight with a flurry of punches against the fence.
A former two division world champion in Kickboxing Pereira has had unprecedented rise to the top of the UFC. Only four fights into his UFC career and eight in his MMA journey he’s a world champion. The victory at UFC 281 also pushed Pereira to 3-0 with his rival including two wins in kickboxing.
The loss in November is Adesanya’s first at 185 lbs. in MMA after 23 in the division. During his title reign “The Last StyleBender” had five successful defenses.
The co-main event will see the winner of the BMF title Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal against number five ranked Welterweight contender Gilbert Burns. Masvidal has 16 wins by Knockout including massacring ben Askren with a five second flying me the fastest knockout in UFC history. Burns is coming off showcasing his world class grappling submitting Neil Magny with a arm triangle in the first round.
- Middleweight Title: (Champion) Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya
- Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal
- Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
- Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodrigues
- Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez
- Gerald Meeerschaert vs. Joe Pyfer
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Chris Curtis
- Cynthia Calvillo vs. Loopy Godinez
- Luana Pinheiro vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez
- Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Nikolas Motta
- Steve Garcia vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke
