#ufc287

UFC 287 - "The Last Stylebender" Israel Adesanya 🇳🇬

Record: 24-2-0

Height: 6' 4"

Weight: 184.5 lbs

Reach: 80"

STANCE: Switch

STYLE: Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Our 3 protagonists for this story are, Alex P​erreira, Israel Adesanya, and Gilbert Burns. With so many moving parts after this weekend's PPV, we're going to go one by one, breakdown a likely scenario, a plan b, and a more far fetched route, for each guy. I'll give you my opinion on what each route signifies, what each fighter should aim for, and you tell me in the comments what I missed, and where I was wrong. Deal? Deal.

A​lex 'Poatan' Perreira, the now former UFC Middleweight Champ (sad face). 205lbs? Izzy 3? Let's dive in. It's February 8th, 2020 Jon Jones is fighting in the main event of UFC 247. The fight goes 5 rounds, and by the time the final bell rings, the challenger is about as confident as i've ever seen a man after an encounter with Jones. Jones steals a decision due to his extreme starpower, and champion status but Dominick Reyes gave him all that he could handle that night. Matching Jon Jones in size, and speed, keeping Jon on the outside, and excluding external factors winning a very close decision. 2 years later Reyes meets Alex Perreira, who is set to take on Middleweight Champ, Israel Adesanya. Below is a photo evidence of that meeting.

T​his picture set the MMA world on fire! Reyes on the left is in the division above Perreira, and is not small for that division. While Jon Jones the man he fought as an equal, is now the Heavyweight Champion. Dana said it, Izzy said it, and Perreira in the past has said it, he's gotta move up. If he goes up a division he'll still be massive, he'll have an easier path to the title (Jiri Prochazka, and Jamahl Hill), and he sheds the massive weight cut he undergoes every time. That's plan A.

I​f Perreira decides to stay at 185 their are 2 fights for him, and 1 that makes sense. Let's start with the latter. The dumb fight is Khamzat Chimaev, and for a time the scariest man in the promotion. We haven't seen Khamzat since he was pushed to his limit against the most underrated Welterweight of all-time, my boy Gilbert Burns, and he's been taking shots at Perreira for a little bit. Although this won't be easy fight for Perreira (because Khamzat is a stud), this could solidify Perreira as a force everyone should be worried about, even the wrestlers! However, the upside for Khamzat is much greater then for the former champ, so it might be a silly, prideful move that could bite him in the ass. The other fight that Poatan could take at Middleweight is the trilogy fight which he will probably lobby for! Izzy after the fight stated he wasn't going to give him an immediate rematch, and I am almost certain Perreira is not going to be willing to fight 2 or 3 times to regain a belt from a guy he already beat 3 times before. So unless Israel gets some balls, and decides to genuinely settle the score with Poatan, I am almost certain he's moving up.

N​ext, but not least, The Champ. What's next for Izzy? As a result of lapping the division, and not many challenges for him in the first place, Adesanya is in a privileged position, in which he can take a 3rd fight, with the consensus #1 contender at Middleweight, Robert Whittaker, who he's beaten twice before. He can fight Alex Perreira in the trilogy, but holding the belt, and being a star in the company, gives him the right to decline what is probably the toughest road for the Middleweight Champion. Or Izzy can take a year off, work on his wrestling, recover, and wait for Du Plessis to beat a top guy and earn his shot.

A​desanya vs Whittaker 3 won't sell, and can only be bad for Izzy. Adesanya vs Perreira 3 will be massive, but is very risky for Adesanya and could lose him his coveted superstardom, so honestly, fighting Du Plessis in 'The Battle For Africa' seems like the most sensible decision. The fan in me wants Poatan vs. Stylebender 3, and I love Robert Whittaker as a human, but if I were Izzy, i'd wait and take Dricus Du Plessis with a fat paycheck.

L​ast, and certainly not least, my boy Gilbert Burns. Honestly, if the UFC wasn't so short sighted, they should've made the hype on this UFC 287 Co-Main Event much bigger, and waited for the result to name Colby the #1 contender, but that didn't happen. So Gilbert went out there, fought a good disciplined fight, and handled Jorge Masvidal, for what? The backup fighter spot on the Colby Covington vs Leon Edwards match? Yeah, lol. So since he's not next in line, here are a couple routes for Burns to take.

B​urns vs Usman 2, if he wins, he's next, no debate. IF he wins, IF. Usman is still a killer my friends, a killer that knocked out Gilbert Burns a couple years ago, and a killer that's going to be hungry to get back to the top of his division, risky. Burns vs Chimaev 2. I personally don't think Chimaev wants another war for possibly no gain, he's in title talks, and there are easier fights he can take, that'll move him closer to his championship aspirations, silly for both parties. The PFL? Gilbert mentioned in his post-fight presser that he 'wants the title shot, or to be released', and I say this because I love Gilbert.. be careful what you wish for. Gilbert is furthest, 2 wins away from a title shot, in a wide open title race, his star is growing, the company is growing, and with the title comes PPV points, and more sponsors then he can handle. Gilbert, be patient with these fools, and keep on knocking down who they give you. If Burns chills, makes weight for Colby vs Leon, he'll be next, and if it's a quick fight, that could be by the end of the year, so stay the course Gilbert, you're so close.

U​FC 287 was a massive card, Miami was buzzing, Dana left very pleased, and I think the winners and losers on Saturday are going to benefit from such a spectacular event. Izzy took the deepest breath, Perreira, and Rosas tied for the biggest step backwards, and Burns did his job, as he always does. The great Jorge Masvidal retired, Rob Font got back on the winning track, and next Saturday there's more, so leave your comments, rewatch the fights, and complain about me to your girlfriends. Til' next time.

I always thought that politics and sport shouldn't be mixed.

Jorge Masvidal announced his retirement following his defeat by Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 on April 8th, 2023. This was Masvidal’s fourth straight loss inside the octagon, which prompted him to retire. While the loss was certainly a disappointment for Masvidal, it was his post-fight speech that made headlines. Masvidal’s affinity for Donald Trump is well-known, as he has previously been seen…

One thing is for sure. Jorge Masvidal is not a cheater. Are you rooting for him tonight?

Jorge Masvidal is one of the most popular UFC fighters in general. He has a massive star power in him. Now, just a day before his upcoming fight in Miami, he received a special commemorative jacket from the UFC’s anti-doping program for completing 50 clean drug tests as an active fighter. The announcement was made by MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter, who tweeted a picture of Masvidal receiving his…

T​his Saturday April 8th Jorge Masvidal will meet Gilbert Burns in a screamer of a Welterweight matchup in south Florida. Contrary to Masvidal's recent encounters, there's no real beef, not a ton of trash talk, and both competitors seem to be focusing on sharpening their respective swords, to come into this UFC 287 Co-Main Event as ready as possible. Masvidal has tried to poke at Gilbert, maybe trying to add fuel to his own fire, or pull Gilbert into a more emotional war of words before the fight, forcing him to maybe misplace his focus, but Jorge has done so, unsuccessfully . Gilbert Burns, who I will say, is one of my favorite fighters in the promotion, has maintained his calm, cool persona, and reittirated, like in many fights before, that the best talking is done in the cage. Which makes for an exhilirating Co-Main Event clash, that both fighters must win.

I​n this same Welterweight division, in London, less than a month ago, Leon Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman for the second time. Possibly ending Usman's reign over the division for good. And I don't know about you, but for me, it's always interesting to think of fighters sitting at home, watching other fighters fight, and I have no doubt both Jorge "Gamebread" Masvidal, and Gilbert "Durinho" Burns were glued to their respective screens, in full England kits, singing "God Save The Queen" at the edge of their vocal registers. Why? Because Masvidal, who is coming off 3 losses, two to the ex-champion Kamaru Usman (meaning that as long as Kamaru has the belt, Jorge is peaking at a PPV Co-Main, or a Fight Night Main Event in any subsequent fight), and Gilbert Burns, who's knockout loss to Kamaru in 2021 still meant he had to knockoff 2 or 3 more contenders to warrant a rematch, were given new life when Usman relinquished his old friend, the belt. So it's safe to say, they were both cheering for Edwards. Interestingly enough, in a English UFC event, when Leon was a lesser known contender, and Masvidal was finished putting out the flame that was Darren Till, they got into a backstage altercation, with the accepted rumour being that Jorge gave Leon a 2 piece and a soda (a couple slaps to the face). In the following weeks arguing ensued, a fight got close to being actualized, but never happened, and here we are. Burns who's coming off impressive wins against "Wonderboy" Stephen Thompson, and Neil Magny, is a maximum, 2 fights away from the title, and due to their history, and the size of his stardom, an impressive win on Saturday can cattapult Masvidal into title contention, giving him a crack at the belt by the end of the year.

So w​ith all that being said, is Masvidal due for another highlight? Pulling another cat out of the bag, like he has done so many times in his 50 fight career. Or is Burns going to take him down, submit him, and get on 95 North as fast as he can, to miss the event traffic? Neither. Burns is going to level change, defend, fight smart, and win 2, maybe 3 rounds, as Masvidal looks to strike, scramble, and punish Burns in every interaction. He will put on a valiant display of toughness, and capability, but will eventually be outclassed by the BJJ black belt, only for them to both find out neither of them are fighting for the title anytime soon.

I​f I was a gambler, not just a casual sports bettor, but a guy who fights the man, and gets what's meant for him, I'd bet Burns by split decision at +900. I know it's a very specific scenario. You'd have to cheer for Masvidal for 5 to 10 minutes, hope he was in a friendly enough environment to sway a judge to give a win in a fight he most likely lost, and you'd have to hope Burns did enough to put it out of reach, without absolutely torching Masvidal. Seems plausible. I would venture to say, more than plausible, likely. Even though Masvidal is tough, as Dan Hardy says "Masvidal's great at surviving". This, for sure won't be an easy fight for Gilbert, Jorge will scramble, post his arm, and make himself very hard to get taken down, and controlled, but Burns will outwill him, and outclass him, reminding Jorge that there are levels. Jorge is going to be in Miami, in front of his home crowd, making Gilbert work for every inch, I don't think it's crazy to think atleast one judge will score it his way. At +900, this is my sleeper.

I​f I was cold, sharp, and calculated, and I wanted to make some cash, while having a personal reason to watch this fight, I would bet the fight to go the distance at +125. Gilbert rarely gets finished, and Jorge doesn't really either. Both guys have potential stoppages in their respectives arsenal's, but neither are destroyers. I think they hit eachother, Gilbert grapples, Jorge wrestles, and it goes for a hard fought 15 minutes. Take this.

A​nd last, but certainly not least, my lock is the Over 1.5 rounds at -175. I know it's almost 2-1 but I this is almost too low, the odds should be worse. Barring an Askren-like knockout from Jorge, or Gilbert doing his best Usman impression, and landing that haymaker from hell in the early in the second, it goes the distance. It's going to be a lot of work, a lot of grappling, and maybe a finish on a worn out opponent. Both of these guys are used to going 5 rounds, and in this 3 round fight, as hard as they can talk, they both wanna win, and can't afford a silly mistake like the one they both made against Kamaru. Watch this fight go 3, while you regret not having taken this layup of a pick.

S​ee, I said it and I did it, I found a reason to consume all this MMA content. Due to these countless hours of film study, and my self procclaimed mastery of all things 'fights I am interested in' you should really take my word for it, and put some of your real life dollars on this matchup. Honestly though, take my opinions for what they are, opinions. I care about the sport, and look to understand before I speak, but nobody knows, and if you think Jorge is going to win, take him at +750 to win by decision. When it's all said and done we all have to answer for our opinions, and i'm not sure why, but I put mine in writing. Thanks for reading.