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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

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Monday 10 April 2023 14:10 BST
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Adesanya and Pereira face off at weigh-in ahead of UFC 287

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: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns

For what it’s worth, Holland was leading on the Verdict MMA global scorecard before his third-round finish of Ponzinibbio.

Kevin Holland stopped Santiago Ponzinibbio in Round 3
Kevin Holland stopped Santiago Ponzinibbio in Round 3 (Verdict MMA)
Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:54

UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns

A few boos for Burns, but the Brazilian is a hard man to dislike.

Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:52

UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns

The last two results tonight:

Rob Font secured a TKO of Adrian Yanez in Round 1
Rob Font secured a TKO of Adrian Yanez in Round 1 (Getty Images)
Kevin Holland knocked out Santiago Ponzinibbio in the final round
Kevin Holland knocked out Santiago Ponzinibbio in the final round (Getty Images)
Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:52

UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns

A great reception for Masvidal, as you would expect.

Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:49

UFC 287 LIVE: Jorge Masvidal takes on Gilbert Burns

It’s time for the co-main event... Gilbert Burns vs Jorge Masvidal in a clash of welterweight contenders!

Fan favourite and hometown fighter Masvidal has lost three in a row, coming up short in two title fights with Kamaru Usman before being dominated by rival Colby Covington last time out. That loss to Covington was 13 months ago, and days after the fight, Masvidal was charged with an alleged assault on Covington – his former friend and teammate.

Meanwhile, Burns is 2-2 in his last four. The Brazilian also lost a title fight with Usman, bounced back to beat Stephen Thompson, lost a war with Khamzat Chimaev, then most recently submitted Neil Magny in January.

Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:46

UFC 287 LIVE: Rob Font stops Adrian Yanez in first round

Rob Font def. Adrian Yanez via first-round TKO (punches, 2:57).

Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:38

UFC 287 LIVE: Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez

Round 1

FONT WITH A BRILLIANT SEQUENCE TO WIN IT!

He pieces up Yanez with a series of right hands – an uppercut, hook, cross, another uppercut, a cross again, and finally a hook to drop his opponent!

He adds a couple of shots on the ground, and the referee steps in!

Font’s face is badly swollen, too; that was a fierce fight for as long as it lasted!

Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:37

UFC 287 LIVE: Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez

Round 1

Many fans and pundits think this will be the fight of the night...

Both men stand orthodox. Font with a wide right hook straight away.

Now Font catches Yanez on the end of a step-in right cross. Double-jab, right hand from Yanez.

Solid jab from Font, nice right hand from Yanez. A left overhand just about lands for Font.

Font with more signature jabs, and he’s really busting up Yanez’s nose.

Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:35

UFC 287 LIVE: Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez

American Font was on a four-fight win streak before losing his last two bouts – points defeats by Jose Aldo and most recently Marlon Vera.

Meanwhile, Yanez has won nine in a row, including seven KO/TKOs. The American last fought in June, stopping Tony Kelley in the first round.

Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:30

UFC 287 LIVE: Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez

Next up: Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez at bantamweight.

Alex Pattle9 April 2023 04:23

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