UFC 287 Israel Adesanya Vs Alex Pereira: Odds, Picks & Predictions

Finally, UFC 287 is here and I am so pumped for this one! Coming to us for the first time in nearly two decades, UFC returns to beautiful Miami, Florida. Headlined by the highly anticipated middleweight championship rematch between former champ Israel Adesanya and current champion Alex Pereira. Along with the championship fight to end the night, we also get to see fights between Gilbert Burns vs Miami’s own Jorge Masvidal, Rob Font vs Andrien Yanez, the always entertaining Kevin Holland vs Santiago Ponzinibbio, and not to mention the 18 year old phenomenon Raul Rojas Jr vs Christian Rodriguez. This card is stacked and I will be enjoying every minute of it!

Rob Font vs Adrien Yanez

A ranked bantamweight fight between the number sixth ranked Rob Font and number twelfth ranked Adrian Yanez. Font is coming into this fight fresh off of back-to-back losses and is looking to get back in the win column. The 35 year old is chasing down one last run for the belt and a win this weekend would set him up nicely for a top 5 fight against a contender. Font is a tremendous boxer who picks his opponents apart with his lightning quick jabs and his high fight IQ to find the perfect striking angles. Adrian Yanez, on the other hand, is no joke. A Dana White Contender Series winner in 2020, Yanez has yet to face defeat in the UFC, riding a 5 fight win streak. Yanez, a fantastic boxer in his own right, has some serious power with 10 KO’s on his professional resume. This is going to be a back-and-forth war, but I have to give the edge to the younger, hungrier fighter in Yanez.

My Pick : Adrian Yanez -188

Gilbert Burns vs Jorge Masvidal

The co-main event featuring Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal should be a good one. Burns, who is now 2-1 after taking a shot at the belt in 2021, is looking to get another shot at the welterweight strap with a win over Miami’s own Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal also took a shot at former champ Kamaru Usman, but lost both fights. He’s also coming into this fight on a 3 fight losing streak.

Masvidal has also hinted at retirement if coming up short in this fight, which doesn’t make you feel too confident in his will to win. Also, the antics he’s already shown by getting into altercations with Colby Covington, and now Kevin Holland, doesn’t seem like Masvidal is even worried about Burns. That my friends is a huge mistake because Burns is an absolute killer! Burns, who has KO power and slick jiu jitsu is comfortable with this fight either standing or on the ground. Masvidal obviously would prefer this fight to stay standing where he excels with crazy strikes and vicious KO power.

For me, the game plan is simple for Burns. If Covington could take Jorge down with ease and chase subs, Burns should have no problem with that as well. Burns is too much of a favorite for my liking (-500).  Since Masvidal has one punch KO power, I’m looking for a more favorable wager here.

My Pick: Gilbert Burns to win by KO or Submission -110 is the play

Israel Adesanya vs Alex Periera

We are going to be witnessing two of the best kickboxers in the entire world face off this Saturday. This will be the fourth meeting across both MMA and Kickboxing between Israel Adesanya and Alex Periera. Periera has Adesanya’s number and is now 3-0 against the former champ. Let’s not forget that both kickboxing bouts were super competitive and close. This previous MMA fight Adesanya was winning the majority of the fight, almost finishing Pereira in the first round.

I’m expecting this fourth installment to be another chess match between these two fighters who know each other very well. Adesanya is the more technical fighter with so many tools in his toolbox to throw at his opponent. Adesanya also seems to have the better gas tank, having more 5 round fights under his belt. But Periera has the great equalizer, which is insane power. Pereira is a scary human being with sledgehammers for hands and when he touches the opposition, they go to sleep. Not to mention the brutal leg kicks that he is relentless with. I’m so interested to see how both guys game plan and what adjustments will be made for this fight.

The rumors are that Adesanya is going to mix in more wrestling which would seem to be Periera’s only weakness. Periera countered that in their previous fight by training with former light heavyweight champion Glover Texeira. With a fight this close that’s very evenly matched, I tend to go with the underdog especially when he is the current champion – Not this time though! I’m looking for the former champ to stay at bay and avoid those massive shots coming his way, ultimately picking Pereira apart to take his belt back!

My Pick: Israel Adesanya to win -142

Best Parlay Plays for UFC 287

+465 Parlay

• Steve Garcia
• Ignacio Bahamondes
• Kelvin Gastelum

+774 Parlay

• Chase Sherman
• Joe Pyfer
• Kevin Holland