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 vs Alex Pereira
Time for the main event!
Here comes the challenger, formerly the champion, Israel Adesanya first.
“My f***ing house, let’s go,” he says as he walks out to a fair few boos.
UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns
Masvidal calls time on his career, as he suggested he might do with a loss.
“Greatest president in the history of the world, I love that guy,” he says, pointing at Donald Trump.
UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns
Gilbert Burns def. Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns
Round 3
Uppercut from Burns! Again Masvidal stumbles backwards!
Burns is taking his time to pick his shots, but they’re all landing clean.
Masvidal fires back with a right hand of his own, and Burns decides to change tack. He grabs another body lock and forces Masvidal to the fence. He soon secures a takedown.
Burns with mean elbows from half-guard. And he ends the bout on top.
UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns
Round 3
Final round! Masvidal needs a big round here, probably a finish even.
Masvidal with a spinning back kick to the body. Burns grazes him with a left hook.
Clean right cross from Burns, and Masvidal staggers back with a dazed look in his eyes!!
He beckons on Burns, but he is feeling the effects of that shot.
UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns
Round 2
The crowd is restless. Burns is in control but not doing too much with the position.
Now he shuffles himself and Masvidal towards the fence, where the latter is able to stand!
The crowd enjoyed that. There’s a brief scramble, but it ends with Burns getting another body lock and slamming the hometown hero to the canvas once again.
Eventually Masvidal stands once more. He gets off a few knees to the body and reverses the position, holding Burns against the fence.
Burns responds in kind, before stepping away. Thirty seconds for Masvidal to strike with Burns.
Masvidal looks exhausted. He eats a right hook. Again he laughs it off, but he felt that.
UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns
Round 2
Burns presses forward and knocks down Masvidal with a short right hook!!
Masvidal might have been off balance as much as anything, but he jumps back up anyway.
Burns picks him up and slams him to the mat, though! Burns is soon into full guard.
UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns
Round 1
Burns’ guard keeps a Masvidal combination at bay, but the American lands a low kick thereafter.
Body kick from Burns, who sees his first grappling effort of the night neutralised by Masvidal.
Masvidal with a body kick of his own. Burns just about connects with a right hand. Masvidal tries a knee and hook in close; the crowd reacts positively, but neither shot landed.
A right hand snaps back Masvidal’s head! Ouch. He sticks out his tongue and fires back with a jab.
Burns gets a body-lock takedown late in the round! There’s just enough time for a few hammer fists, too...
UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns
Round 1
The atmosphere has really picked up for this one. Masvidal has hinted that he may retire if he loses tonight...
Burns is 36; Masvidal, 38. Burns is the heavy favourite with the bookies; Masvidal with the Miami crowd.
Low kick from Masvidal early. Burns switches stances back and forth before throwing a body kick. Now the Brazilian kicks low. “Let’s go, Jorge,” is the chant in the arena.
Burns connects with a right hand, and Masvidal acknowledges it.
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