UFC Tips: Tipman’s picks for Pereira v Adesanya & more at UFC 287

Tipman steps into the octagon for UFC 287 in Miami

By / UFC / 1 year ago

UFC Tips

UFC 287 – Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
TV: BT Sport, Prelims from 11pm, Main Card from 3am

UFC 287 Pereira V Adesanya 2 takes place this Saturday in Miami, Florida, and promises an action-packed night of fights to be rounded off with a 5 round title fight in the middleweight division. Here are some of our strongest selections for the card.

Alex Pereira V Isreal Adesanya

Alex Pereira to win

It’s still a surprise to me that Izzy is the favourite as we predicted Alex to beat him last time and he’s still a slight underdog again. The two have fought 3 times already, twice in kick-boxing and once in MMA with Alex winning all 3. Izzy is super technical but Alex is naturally bigger and more powerful, as was  shown last time.

Given Pereira has knocked Izzy out twice now Adesanya is going to have to fight a little bit differently to avoid getting caught and we think that will just play into the champions hands. We do expect a close fight but it seems the champ has his number and I expect him to make his first title defence here.

Gilbert Burns V Jorge Masvidal
Fight to go the distance – Yes

Burns is a heavy favourite in the co-main event for the win but you just know Masvidal is going to make it a dog fight out there and he’s very rarely stopped. I’m not sure Burns will do it, though I’d predict him to win the fight by a clear margin on points.

Masvidal is the older fighter and the reports of him not looking after himself as well as some of the other elite fighters will probably make a big difference. It does suggest a grappler versus striker match up but Masvidal has always managed to keep the majority of his fights standing or when taken down he’s been able to scramble back to his feet so it won’t be an easy task for the Brazilian. Should be an entertaining fight with all the value looking on a decision finish.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 02: Jorge Masvidal of the United States fights against Nate Diaz (not pictured) of the United States in the Welterweight “BMF” championship bout during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on November 02, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

Rob Font V Adrian Yanez

Rob Font to win

Font is another surprising underdog here in what I predict could be fight of the night. Yanez has impressed against lower competition but steps up in class here now and faces one of the top fighters in the division.

Font is arguably one of the best boxers in the division too and although that’s where Yanez is dangerous it could be a difficult match up. Yanez has a power advantage but Font is tricky and his speed should see him out score Yanez. It should be a very entertaining fight mainly with both men on the feet and Font at the prices looks a good bet.

Kelvin Gastelum V Chris Curtis

Chris Curtis to win

Gastelum steps down in competition in terms of ranked fighters but Chris Curtis is about as dangerous as they come and given Kelvin’s injury record and inactivity, the value lies with the underdog here.

Both men are very good boxers but Curtis is more technical and patient whereas his opponent is fast and explosive. Gastelum should mix in takedowns but he’s been known to let his ego get the better of him before and that could be to his detriment here.

Curtis has the power to stop him and you can expect the 35-year-old to mix up body and head shots in the pocket. Kelvin’s fitness is a real issue and how he approaches this fight could lead to an upset of the odds.

UFC Tips

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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What do you think?