Israel Adesanya is already the second-greatest middleweight of all time. And that won’t change if Alex Pereira completes the series sweep at UFC 287 betting. But the glimmer of who Adesanya is will certainly lose its brightness. Especially if there’s a man out there parading around with the claim of going undefeated against him in Izzy’s prime. However, if Adesanya finally gets the job done, he can render this entire saga down to a footnote in his UFC betting story. But if not, Pereira will haunt every conversation like a rock in the shoe until the end of time.
UFC 287 – Pereira vs. Adesanya 2
Main Card – Main Event
Date: Saturday, April 8, 2023, 10 p.m. ET
Location: Miami-Dade Arena, Miami, FL
UFC TV Coverage: ESPN+
UFC 287 CashBet Odds: Alex Pereira +115 vs. Israel Adesanya -135, Gilbert Burns -435 vs. Jorge Masvidal +350, Rob Font +155 vs. Adrian Yanez -180, Kevin Holland -280 vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio +235, Raul Rosas Jr -230 vs. Christian Rodriguez +195
Pereira vs. Adesanya 2 Draws Record Betting Handle
At the onset of top online sportsbook action, Isreal Adesanya emerged as a small favorite. Overall, Alex Pereira has a career record of 7-1. He is the defending UFC middleweight champion. Cause by a 5th-round TKO win over Adesanya on November 12, 2022. UFC 281 in New York was the event. Isreal Adesanya is 23-2 in his career. He is a former UFC middleweight champion. Also, he fought for the UFC light heavyweight championship in a loss to Jan Blachowicz.
That is to say that Adesanya’s UFC bets legacy shouldn’t be defined by Alex Pereira having his number. But it will be a memorable footnote in an outstanding fighting career thus far.
Certainly, past MMA betting champions, legends like Georges St-Pierre, Randy Couture, and Amanda Nunes major respect for their ability to bounce back from title defeats. To illuminate, these past champs could emphatically reclaim their spots on the top. Thus, If Adesanya can show the same resolve and finally beat Pereira, it will lift a weight from his shoulders. Additionally, it will put his historic run as middleweight king back on track. Especially with plenty of compelling challengers on the horizon.
On the other hand, another loss to Pereira won’t hurt Adesanya’s already-established credentials that badly. But it will throw a wrench into Adesanya’s chances of moving further up the all-time great list.
On the whole, Israel Adesanya is the second-greatest middleweight of all time. Second only Anderson Silva. Realistically, he has no path forward to taking the top spot. Silva is one of the greatest, most dominant fighters of all time. Hence, had Adesanya not lost to Pereira at UFC 281, he could still be on a path to that title. But the loss functionally ends it.
Correlating a loss could bring a major career turn for Adesanya. Consider that losing is contagious. And once a fighter takes a loss, it’s often more likely they will keep taking Ls. Gamblers have seen it throughout MMA history.
Yet another loss to Pereira will undoubtedly put Adesanya at a crossroads. To show, he could stay at 185, and hope Pereira takes a loss to someone else. Or Adesanya can make a move up to 205 permanently. In either instance, more losses are likely to follow.
Indeed, staying on top in MMA for years is nearly impossible. There’s a crop of new middleweights coming. Also, fighters like Khamzat Chimaev will be champing to get a crack at Izzy. And then there is the thought of going up to 205 pounds. Well, Adesanya already found navigating the size difference to be troublesome once. And that division is only improving.
Also, there’s the chance that Pereira will follow suit. In turn, that means his nemesis will again be in his path to gold. Either way, another loss for Adesanya portends tough times ahead.
UFC 287 – Pereira vs. Adesanya 2 CashBet Free Pick
In this situation, defending champion Alex Pereira at plus money is the better value.
CASHBET Best Bet
Alex Pereira
