The pressure is on former UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya this weekend. Adesanya will be looking to overcome the biggest obstacle in his MMA career. Izzy will be looking to dethrone the man who took the gold from him, Alex Pereira. The pair's last bout wasn't the first time these two have met inside a ring. Periera owns a 2-0 record over Adesanya in Kickboxing. With one of his victories ending in a brutal knockout of Adesanya. However, the octagon is a different beast. Adesanya looked to be cruising to another title defense in their first MMA meeting. But one strike changed the entire landscape of the fight.
Periera is now the owner of the UFC Middleweight crown, as his star has never been brighter. However, Adesanya has been impatiently waiting for his rematch. What seems like an impossible hurdle will once again be staring at Adesanya across the cage. The two will go to battle one more time this weekend in the main event of UFC 287. A loss by Adesanya will all but end his lengthy rivalry with Perieria. But like any confident fighter, Adesanya sees this fight only going one way.
Israel Adesanya Knows What Is At Stake At UFC 287
Adesanya seems to be welcoming the pressure. "Pressure makes diamonds, and I'm going to shine." It's no secret to anyone just how big the stakes are this weekend in Miami. The pressure isn't just on Adesanya. Periera now has the pressure of being a UFC champion. The new Middleweight king also has the pressure of knowing the last meeting between the two wasn't exactly going his way. No matter the pressure either fighter feels currently, that all will change when the bell rings.
UFC 287 looks to be an amazing card this weekend. The Co-Main Event will feature the king of the 305, Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal became a crowd favorite with his bone-chilling knockout of Ben Askren. However, Masvidal will have his hands full with a tough challenge in Gilbert Burns. Don't miss any of the action when the PPV. streams on ESPN+ this Saturday. For the latest MMA news, keep it locked in right here at HNHH.