Israel Adesanya looks to regain the UFC middleweight title from Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287 tonight, in what is the fourth clash between the long-time rivals.
Pereira outpointed Adesanya and knocked out the Nigerian-New Zealander across two kickboxing bouts, before the pair transitioned to MMA. Adesanya was the first to make the move, going on to reign as a dominant UFC champion until he lost his belt to Pereira in their first MMA meeting, five months ago.
Brazilian Pereira, a relative newcomer to MMA, fought from behind to secure a TKO of Adesanya in the final round in November, and tonight’s main event in Miami marks the new champion’s first title defence.
In the co-main event, hometown fighter Jorge Masvidal lost Gilbert Burns on points before announcing his retirement from MMA.
Former US president Donald Trump is among those in attendance at UFC 287, the former US president sitting in the front row next to Mike Tyson and UFC president Dana White.