Israel 'Last Stylebender' Adesanya put Alex 'Poatan' Pereira to sleep with a right hammer fist in the second round, winning back the middleweight title at UFC 287 main event Saturday night, in Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Pereira used a right knee to the face that backed his opponent into the cage. But he wasn’t prepared for Adesanya’s two quick right hooks that had him stumble down to the canvas, prompting the referee to intervene and check to make sure Pereira is OK.
Adesanya stepped back and celebrated by pulling out an invisible arrow from his back and 'shooting it' at Pereira.
"I hope every one of you behind the screen or in this arena can feel this level of happiness just one time in your life," Adesanya said in his post-fight interview. "But guess what, you’ll never feel this level of happiness if you don’t go for something."
"They say revenge is sweet," he added. "And if you know me, I’ve got a sweet tooth."
Adesanya who moved to a career 24-2 MMA, 13-2 UFC, with this victory, doesn’t think there will be a trilogy bout with Pereira(7-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) who beat him in kickboxing twice and in UFC in November.
Last Stylebender said during post-fight press conference, he thinks his rivalry with Pereira has reached its end now that he reclaimed the UFC middleweight. As to what lies ahead, “I’m not thinking of anything like that,” he said. “That’s the last question. I’ve been a good boy, so now it’s time to be a bad boy in Miami.”
On his part, Pereira shared a positive outlook on social media following his loss. "Im just here to let u know that I’m fine !" the Brazilian tweeted. "I want to thank my family, my team and all the people who are supporting me during my journey. Now I just have to rest and continue with the plans that are already on motion. Thanks god." UFC president Dana White said he expects 'Poatan' to move up to light heavyweight going forward.
Earlier in a co-main event matchup, UFC fan-favorite Jorge Masvidal(35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) lost to Gilbert Burns(22-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) by a unanimous decision: 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
Speaking with the media at the post-fight conference following his win, Burns suggested he's not taking anything less than a title fight for his next outing, and is willing to walk away from the UFC if he doesn’t get it. “I think it’s almost a done deal Leon (Edwards) and Colby (Covington) in London, if I’m not wrong,” he said. “It’s almost a done deal, it’s just small details. I want to be a backup. I’m going to. I’m not asking. I’m demanding that I am going to because whenever they ask anytime the UFC calls asking for opponent, I say yes.”
Masvidal on his part retired following the fight Saturday night, in his hometown of Miami. The loss to Burns was the fourth straight defeat for Masvidal, who retires with an MMA record of 35-17 dating back to 2003. "I love everybody here," he said after the fight. "It's been a long 20 years, 50-some fights. Sometimes your favorite basketball player don't have that 3-pointer no more. Your favorite quarterback loses that rifle. I don't feel the same when I get in here no more. It's been 20 long years."
Trump Met With Chants Of 'USA USA' At UFC 287
Following the fight, Masvidal also led the crowd in a "Let's go, Brandon" chant from the octagon, after giving a shoutout to former United States president, Donald Trump who attended the event. "I wanted to say, greatest president in the history of the world sitting right there," the MMA star said, pointing to Trump. "I love that guy."
He also praised popular Florida governor Ron DeSantis who was not at the event. "We also got the greatest governor of all time here in Florida," Masvidal said. "Let’s keep Florida free, a red state. And let’s take back -- you know who, Let’s go, Brandon motherfucker… replace him."
Trump was greeted by huge cheers of 'USA USA' as he waved to the crowd at the event Saturday night. He sat front row alongside boxing legend Mike Tyson, Dana White and country music star Kid Rock. UFC fighter Kevin Holland also came over to speak to the former president after knocking out Santiago Ponzinibbio earlier in the night.
WATCH UFC 287 highlights featuring Israle Adesanya vs Alex Pereira; Trump and Masvidal.