UFC 287 LIVE: Adesanya knocks out Pereira – result
Follow the fallout: Adesanya regains the middleweight belt from long-time rival Pereira, after Jorge Masvidal retires with a loss to Gilbert Burns
Israel Adesanya knocked Alex Pereira out cold to regain the middleweight title in the main event of UFC 287.
It was the fourth fight between the pair, with Pereira beating Adesanya twice in kickboxing before following the Nigerian-New Zealander into mixed martial arts, where he took Adesanya’s UFC title with a TKO in November.
But at the fourth time of asking, Adesanya finally beat his long-time rival, freezing Pereira with a right hook in Round 2 before dropping the champion with a one-two and finishing the fight with a hammer fist.
In the co-main event, Jorge Masvidal suffered a points loss to Gilbert Burns before retiring from MMA. Masvidal, in front of a home crowd in Miami, called time on a 20-year career and praised former US president Donald Trump, who was ringside.
Trump sat in the front row with Mike Tyson and UFC president Dana White, and the Miami-Dade Arena crowd erupted when the 76-year-old arrived.
Re-live updates and see full results from UFC 287, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya knocks out Alex Pereira
That is what it looks like to exorcise a demon.
Adesanya suffered a controversial points loss to Pereira in their first fight, a kickboxing match. In their rematch, also in kickboxing, Adesanya was leading but was knocked out. In November, in their first MMA clash, again Adesanya was ahead, but he was beaten in the final round.
Tonight, on his fourth attempt, he finally gets his win over Pereira, and in stunning fashion.
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya knocks out Alex Pereira
Israel Adesanya def. Alex Pereira via second-round KO (punches, 4:21).
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Pereira was unleashing body hooks and a knee to the head, with Adesanya backed against the cage, when the challenger threw a right hook out of nowhere!!
It froze Pereira, so similarly to the end of Round 1 in their last fight, but this time there was no buzzer to save Pereira; the next punch dropped him, and he was out cold after a hammer fist.
Adesanya then celebrated by imitating firing arrows at his rival.
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
Round 2
Pereira just leans back far enough to avoid a head kick. He hops towards Adesanya and narrowly misses with a right hook.
Adesanya is being stalked here. His left leg buckles after a low kick from the champion!
Now Pereira unloads punches to the body! Is Adesanya in trouble?!
NO! HE KNOCKS PEREIRA OUT COLD WITH A RIGHT HOOK!
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
Round 2
Pereira gets right after Adesanya! An uppercut gets through, then a hook!
Adesanya is backed up against the fence, where he lost the last fight... His eyes are wide...
He lands a right hand now, though! Pereira blocks a head kick.
Adesanya looks to stay confident, coming forward and trying some lead right hooks from that southpaw stance.
Now a left lands for the challenger! And another...
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
Round 1
Lots of low kicks from both men early on. Adesanya looks to get behind the jab, standing southpaw at the moment.
This has been a cagey start. Adesanya just about leans back to avoid a head kick, before landing a jab. A right cross is just out of range for the challenger.
The next effort is better from Adesanya, but Pereira responds with more leg kicks.
Adesanya kicks low and hard again, then targets the body with a kick. He repeats the same sequence now.
Adesanya with a solid left cross, but Pereira plays it down. Another leg kick from the Brazilian.
UFC 287 LIVE
Jorge Masvidal retires after loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287
The American holds the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history at five seconds
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
Bruce Buffer with the fighter introductions...
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
Now here comes Pereira, who TKOed Adesanya in November and holds a points win and knockout over the Nigerian-New Zealander from their kickboxing days.
Ominous music as the champion emerges.
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