For the first time since 2003, the world's top MMA promotion has arrived with a numbered tournament to the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. As part of UFC 287 in Miami, the champion of the middle division changed again, the famous Jorge Masvidal retired, and the 18-year-old fighter from Mexico lost zero in the «defeat» column — about these and other events of the show in the material Sports.
The long-awaited retribution A story that is not uncommon for professional martial arts. Perhaps, if there were no sworn rival in the sport, the athlete would clear the territory and become the undisputed best. A couple of years ago, this was said about the American boxer Deontay Wilder, who, in the trilogy with Tyson Fury, could not find the keys to the unbeaten Briton. The UFC immediately recalls the dilogy of Daniel Cormier against Jon Jones, in which the latter confirmed the status of the greatest and eliminated the opposition twice (even though the knockout of a Hall of Fame member in the second fight is not considered due to failed doping, for most fans, the long-term enmity still remained with Kostlyavy).
Something similar happened in other sports. In 2014 and 2016, Atlético Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League final, but Real Madrid's neighbors were slightly luckier both times.
Why these arguments? In the main event of UFC 287, the octagon was divided by fighters who had three fights at the professional level. Brazilian Alex Pereira twice defeated New Zealander Israel Adesanya in kickboxing (deaf knockout in the second bout), after which he joined the organization of Dana White and in November 2022 took away the middleweight championship belt from Izzy, bringing the score in the confrontation to 3-0.
However, on the fourth try, Izzy did it! From the very beginning, the champion from Brazil, like a spider, began to “weave” his clumsy punches with his hands and take points. The contender finally heard the criticism of the fans and turned from a boring, sitting in the defense of the second number into a dominant first.
In the second round, Adesanya took the risk of trading and was rewarded. Second! And Pereira is lying unconscious, and the winner shoots invisible arrows at the defeated opponent.
Obviously, we are waiting for the fifth (!) meeting of inseparable fighters and a new champion trilogy in the UFC. Somewhere, Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker are depressed, who will have to wait another year for a title chance. After all, we will not see the fight between Adesanya and Pereira III until the end of 2023.
Not the most dangerous gangster UFC hype machine Jorge Masvidal is in the deepest hole. After an impeccable 2019, which made the American a world-class star, the hard knockout lost its former aura and suffered three defeats in a row: two from Kamaru Usman, and Jorge was knocked out for the first time in the second fight, one from the hated Colby Covington, who demonstrated a wrestling master class and wiped canvas by a former friend.
Today, Masvidal again met with a stylistically awkward opponent, the Brazilian Gilbert Burns. And the 38-year-old «killer» put everything on the line: in case of a loss in his native Miami, Jorge was preparing to retire.
The first round of the co-main event of the evening gave Jorge fans hope. Burns did not seek to transfer the fight to the ground, so Masvidal spent close five minutes. But then a Brazilian policeman «tied» the gangster on the ground floor, after which he «threw» the mixed martial arts legend also in the rack.
The owner of the octagon had an abominable duel. Masvidal slowed down, was helpless in the fight. Even in boxing, he could not surprise the favorite with anything. There was no trace of the former Jorge … It seems that the author of the fastest knockout in UFC history himself understood this, who did not refuse his words and after the verdict of the judges (unanimous decision in favor of Durinho) announced his resignation. He also turned to Donald Trump, sitting at the octagon, calling him the best president in US history, and called for the removal of Joe Biden from power.
In general, things are political.
What else happened in Miami:
- Rob Font confirmed his level, in smashing Adrien Yanez in the first round(The loser had five wins in five fights under the auspices of the UFC). The American closes two defeats and can now count on a meeting with the Russian Peter Yan.
- Khamzat's last rival Chimaeva Kevin Hollandis back on the winning track. The American constantly flirting with the public confidently passed the Argentinean Santiago Ponzinibbio. He shocked his opponent several times, and brought the matter to a knockout already in the final five minutes. True, Santiago categorically disagreed with the referee, who stopped the fight after one finishing blow.
- The main sensation the show is a misfire for a rising UFC star, the youngest fighter in the history of the organization, Raul Rosas Jr.. The Mexican, who turned 18 in October, did not justify the hopes of the league and gave two rounds to Cristian Rodriguez, who failed the weight race. The American was close to the early end of the fight more than once, but in the end he brought the matter to victory by unanimous decision.< /li>
- < li class="article__list-item">In addition, top middleweight Kelvin Gastelum ended a two-game losing streak by taking out Chris Curtis in the final prelim bout.
BONUSES
Fight of the Night: Curtis vs. Gastelum;
Performance of the Night: Adesanya and Font.