Does Alex Pereira have Israel Adesanya’s number, or can the former champion finally take down the hard-hitting Brazilian? That will be decided at UFC 287 on April 8.
Pereira defends the UFC middleweight title against Adesanya inside the Miami-Dade Arena. The fight will air on ESPN+ PPV.
Beating Adesanya twice in kickboxing and at UFC 281 for the middleweight title, Pereira is one of the fastest fighters to become a champion since Brock Lesnar. With six wins via knockout in MMA competition, the former kickboxing champion survived a back-and-forth affair to beat Adesanya in the fifth round of their last fight.
Despite videos of Adesanya appearing to improve his game, Pereira, who is training with Glover Teixeira and Chuck Liddell, isn’t buying into the hype.
“Everyone talks about how he [is going to get better], but they forget it’s not just one guy working hard and trying to fix [mistakes],” Pereira told Yahoos Sports. “I have worked very hard to get to this point, and I am not ready to say, ‘OK, this is all good,’ and accept whatever happens. No. I will be a different fighter, a better fighter, too. Don’t forget that.”
MORE: Sign up to watch the UFC 287 PPV, exclusively on ESPN+
Adesanya, who successfully defended the UFC middleweight title five times before losing at UFC 281, had a 23-fight win streak in the division snapped by Pereira. “The Last Stylebender” is focused on the task at hand and is ready to finally take down his version of the Boogeyman in Pereira by any means necessary.
“F— the belt, I’m coming for his head,” Adesanya said at the pre-fight press conference via Middle Easy. “This is my 8-Mile moment. This is it, one more shot at this. I’ve put everything on my back. I’ve done everything in my power to make sure I do the worst thing to this man this weekend. I’m done with this talking s—.”
In the co-main event, Miami’s Jorge Masvidal faces Gilbert Burns. Masvidal is on a three-fight losing streak, while Burns is 2-2 in his last four bouts.
The Sporting News will provide live results and updates from UFC 287. Stay tuned!
MORE: How to bet UFC 287: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2
Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 results, highlights
The prelims start at 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. GMT | 10 a.m. AEDT, while the main card starts at 10 p.m. ET | 3 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT.
WHAT A TURNAROUND FOR STEVE GARCIA 😤 #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/pJXX3CLwh0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 8, 2023
The first fight of the night saw Sam Hughes defeat Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Amorim looked great in round one but faltered as the fight continued. The second fight saw Steve Garcia land a huge kick to the gut of Shayilan Nuerdanbieke in round two for the comeback win.
Unfortunately @ChaseShermanUFC had a medical issue and won’t be able to compete tonight. He tried is hardest to get in there but on the advice of the UFC medical staff they decided to hold him out and we respect that decision as his safety comes first #UFC287
— Abe kawa (@Abraham_kawa) April 8, 2023
Welcome everyone to The Sporting News’ live coverage of UFC 287. Right before fight night began, Karl Williams vs. Chase Sherman was nixed due to a medical issue on the part of Sherman.
When is UFC 287: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2?
- Date: Saturday, April 8 | Sunday, April 9
- FIGHT PASS Prelims: 6 p.m. ET | 11 p.m. ET GMT | 8 a.m. AEDT
- Prelims: 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. GMT | 10 a.m. AEDT
- Main card: 10 p.m. ET | 3 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT
- Main event: 12:15 a.m. ET | 5:15 a.m. GMT | 2:15 p.m. AEDT (approx.)
UFC 287 takes place on April 8. The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET | 11 p.m. ET GMT | 8 a.m. AEDT, followed by the prelims at 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. GMT | 10 a.m. AEDT. The UFC 287 main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET | 3 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT.
Pereira and Adesanya should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET | 5:15 a.m. GMT | 2:15 p.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch UFC 287: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Sat. April 8 | ESPN+, ESPN PPV |
| Canada | Sat. April 8 | BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
| United Kingdom | Sun. April 9 | BT Sport |
| Australia | Sun. April 9 | Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
The main card for UFC 287 is available in the U.S. and Mexico on the ESPN+ subscription streaming service for a pay-per-view cost. Earlier fights are viewable live on ESPN+.
In Canada, the main card pay-per-view is available on BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass
MORE: Dana White responds to video showing physical altercation with wife
In the United Kingdom, the main card will be available on BT Sport, with the prelims available on UFC Fight Pass.
In Australia, the main card will be on Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.
Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 PPV price: How much does UFC 287 cost?
- $79.99 (current ESPN+ subscribers)
- $124.98 (new subscribers)
In the U.S., the UFC 287 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 287 is $79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $124.98 for the UFC 287 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.
MORE: Sign up to watch the UFC 287 PPV, exclusively on ESPN+
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $9.99/month |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $99.99/year |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $12.99/month |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $19.99/month |
| UFC PPV Standalone | $79.99 each |
| UFC PPV Package (UFC PPV & ESPN+ Annual) | $124.98, then $99.99/year |
| UFC PPV & The Disney Bundle |
$79.99, then $12.99/month |
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
UFC 287 results
Main card
- Alex Pereira (c) vs. Israel Adesanya 2 for the UFC middleweight title
- Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal; Welterweights
- Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez; Bantamweights
- Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio; Welterweights
- Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodriguez; Bantamweights
Prelims
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Chris Curtis; Middleweights
- Michelle Waterson vs. Luana Pinheiro; Strawweights
- Gerald Meerschaert vs. Joe Pyfer; Middleweights
FIGHT PASS Prelims
- Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lupita Godinez; Strawweights
- Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Trey Ogden; Catchweight
- Steve Garcia def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke via KO (0:36 into round two)
- Sam Hughes def. Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
The Sporting News may earn an affiliate commission through our links when you sign up for a streaming service. The Sporting News’ affiliates have no influence over the editorial content included in this article.