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: Raul Rosas Jr vs Christian Rodriguez
Round 3
Rosas Jr does well to survive and stand, and the fight ends on the feet...
Scorecards incoming...
UFC 287 LIVE: Raul Rosas Jr vs Christian Rodriguez
Round 3
Rodriguez has the back, has Rosas Jr flattened out, and is pouring on punches!
UFC 287 LIVE: Raul Rosas Jr vs Christian Rodriguez
Round 2
Rosas Jr seems to have exerted too much energy at this point in the fight; he’s flagging.
Rodriguez now has the teenager’s back again, and he’s almost got a rear naked choke locked in!
Rosas Jr survives to the buzzer, but he’s facing more adversity than he ever has in the ring.
UFC 287 LIVE: Raul Rosas Jr vs Christian Rodriguez
Round 2
Once again, Rosas Jr goes straight for a takedown. This time, though, Rodriguez is able to tip the teenager onto his back.
Rodriguez has side control briefly, but Rosas Jr gets free, and both bantamweights stand. Again Rosas Jr shoots for a double-leg takedown, but Rodriguez meets his face with a knee! Well timed!
Rosas Jr absorbs it well and keeps working, grappling Rodriguez against the fence. Again Rodriguez counters the position, however.
He ends up on top, then takes the back as Rosas Jr turns. Now Rodriguez has side control again.
UFC 287 LIVE: Raul Rosas Jr vs Christian Rodriguez
Round 1
Rodriguez is keeping his chin tucked, and Rosas Jr briefly gives up on the choke. The 18-year-old has dragged Rodriguez to the mat now, though.
The buzzer sounds!
UFC 287 LIVE: Raul Rosas Jr vs Christian Rodriguez
Round 1
A great reception for Rosas Jr! He shoots for a takedown at once, but he does so from a long way away, and Rodriguez reads it.
Rosas Jr goes for another attempt, but Rodriguez is still defending well. Rosas Jr lifts Rodriguez’s leg all the way up to his head, then swings him down to the mat.
Rosas Jr tries to lock in a D’Arce choke, but Rodriguez rolls through before standing. Rosas Jr goes right back to the well, seeking a takedown via a body lock.
A short shot knocks out Rosas Jr’s mouthpiece, and he’s yet to receive it back from the referee, but he won’t mind for now; he’s jumped onto Rodriguez’s back near the fence...
Rosas Jr has a body triangle locked in and is looking for a choke...
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
Rodriguez is 8-1 as a professional, while Rosas Jr is 7-0.
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
In the first fight on the main card, Raul Rosas Jr faces Christian Rodriguez at bantamweight.
Rosas Jr, who turned 18 in October, is the youngest fighter on the UFC roster.
UFC 287 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
We now move onto the main card!
Alex Pereira (C) vs Israel Adesanya 2 (middleweight title)
Gilbert Burns vs Jorge Masvidal (welterweight)
Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez (bantamweight)
Kevin Holland vs Santiago Ponzinibbio (welterweight)
Raul Rosas Jr vs Christian Rodriguez (bantamweight)
UFC 287 LIVE: Kelvin Gastelum wins war with Chris Curtis
Gastelum roars into the microphone. A huge outpouring of emotion from the former interim-title challenger. That’s his first win in just over two years!
Gastelum talks about a shift in his “soul” and psychology.
“He, has, risen!” he shouts. “I’m back, baby!”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments