UFC on ESPN 43 - Vera vs. Sandhagen --- UFC on ESPN 44 - Holloway vs. Allen
UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya 2 is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that will take place on April 8, 2023, at the Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida, United States.
Fight card
Main card
Middleweight Alex Pereira (c) vs. Israel Adesanya Middleweight Championship
Welterweight Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal
Bantamweight Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez
Welterweight Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
Bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodriguez
Preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+)
Middleweight Chris Curtis vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Women's Strawweight Michelle Waterson vs. Luana Pinheiro
Middleweight Gerald Meerschaert vs. Joe Pyfer
Heavyweight Karl Williams vs. Chase Sherman
Early preliminary card (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Women's Strawweight Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lupita Godinez
Catchweight (160 lb) Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Trey Ogden
Featherweight Shayilan Nuerdanbieke vs. Steve Garcia
Women's Strawweight Jaqueline Amorim vs. Sam Hughes
Background
The event will mark the promotion's second visit to Miami and first since UFC 42 in April 2003.
A UFC Middleweight Championship rematch between current champion Alex Pereira (also former Glory Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion) and former champion Israel Adesanya is expected to headline the event. The pairing previously met at UFC 281 in which Pereira captured the title by fifth round knockout. The two also previously met twice in kickboxing matchups. The first in April 2016 which Pereira won by unanimous decision. Their second meeting took place at Glory of Heroes 7 in March 2017 which Pereira won by third round knockout.
Nikolas Motta was expected to face Ignacio Bahamondes in a lightweight bout. However, Motta pulled out in late March due to a cut on his head. He was replaced by Trey Ogden at a catchweight of 160 pounds.
A welterweight bout between The Ultimate Fighter: Live lightweight winner Michael Chiesa and Li Jingliang was expected to take place at the event. However, Li withdrew from the bout due to a back injury and the bout was scrapped.
Chris Barnett was expected to face Chase Sherman in a heavyweight bout. However, Barnett pulled out due to undisclosed reasons in early April and was replaced by Karl Williams.
