Here. We. Go.
The second clash between the middleweights began on April 8, 2023, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, United States. The sixth-highest viewed and attended UFC event in history. These two men were prepared for war.
Before we tend to the main event, let’s begin with Bigmouth and Ponzi.
Kevin Holland vs Santiago Ponzinibbio
A welterweight bout consisting of the 23-9 Kevin Holland and 30-6 Santiago. These two men put on a battle with of course Kevin talking to his opponent the whole fight.
Prior to the finish and his call out, Holland was using his reach advantage to keep Ponzinibbio at the receiving end of his punches and kicks while showcasing a potent repertoire of strikes. Ponzinibbio stepped forward in retaliation, kicking Holland’s lead leg repeatedly with a vicious kick and quick hands.
Holland’s power was unstoppable during the third round. He repeatedly struck Ponzi in the dome, unable to leave room for error. Holland who is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was barely able to showcase his talent against the world-renowned striker of his opponent.
With three minutes left in the round, Holland mails a left hook to Ponzi’s chin sending him to the canvas where Dan Miragliotta waved off the fight.
A fantastic performance for the Dallas Texas Native, no doubt.
Gilbert Burns vs Jorge Masvidal
“Mr. 305 is backkkkk” The Miami area code for Gamebred Masvidal’s home territory. His reference is that he is finally back fighting after his loss to America’s champ Colby Covington and is now here and fighting in his hometown.
This three round welterweight bout at 170 pounds consisted of #5 contender Gilbert Burns and #11 ranked contender Jorge Masvidal.
A very unexpected and interesting bout situated by the boss and Hunter Campbell.
This was an absolute blowout of a win by the “Durniho”, Gilbert Burns. He is just levels ahead of Masvidal, constantly clearing the gap between them and landing very clean shots doing harsh damage to his opponent. Gilbert controlled all three rounds being 30-27 with a cup of soda from the judges.
Gilbert succeeded with four takedowns against Gamebred concatenating an even higher chance of a victory. Even though Jorge landed a total of 77 strikes, outstriking Burns by a solid five; every fan in the Arena knew Gilbert had done just enough to get the job done.
These businessmen put on an absolute show. Signs of respect from each fighter.
Sadly, at the end of the fight, during Jorge’s octagon interview, he finally announced his retirement. He exclaimed to his beloved 305 after the bittersweet loss to Joe Rogan after the fight saying: “I don’t feel the same when I get in here no more. I love all of you. Thank you everybody for watching.
That would wrap up the reign of the BMF in the UFC. He sets his gloves down on the canvas with a record of 35-17 in MMA.
Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya 2
This is the fourth fight against these two men. Two in kickboxing and two in MMA. Pereira with three and Adesanya with 0.
This bout was one of the most anticipated and looked-forward-to fights of the year after Adesanya lost his second fight in the UFC by TKO to Alex back at UFC 281.
Nothing was stopping Izzy from beating Pereira. He didn’t care about the belt, he didn’t care about being the Middleweight Champion. The only reward he had his eyes on was turning that goose egg against Pereira into a 1. His primary focus was beating Pereira because he has never beaten him in his fighting career.
Round one was a bit solemn for both fighters not much going on. Both fighters landed leg kicks busting up each other’s calves.
Here we go with round two. Adesanya instantly throws a left high kick to stun his opponent. Pereira’s corner was very vocal with him giving confidence to him. Pereira then sends a question mark kick landing on Izzy’s face.
Pereira then begins to T-off on Israel at around 4:20 left in the round landing many shots in the face and the body by tossing faints and throwing off his opponent.
Stalking Adesanya late in the round backing him up to the fence Alex begins piecing up his opponent landing a huge knee and stumbling Adesanya, but Israel faints with the left hand blocking Pereira’s momentum in his incoming left kick. This ultimately gives room for Adesanya to land a shot of his own since Pereira has left his face susceptible to a clean shot.
Adesanya takes his chance and delivers a HUGE right hook to the face of Pereira, wobbling him with another left uppercut that would put him down on the canvas.
Israel realizes this opportunity to finish his opponent and then drops to the floor and mails a huge hammer fist to finish Alex Pereira. Dan Mirgiliotta stops the fight as Alex is out cold on the ground.
Israel has finally beat Alex Pereira and regained the Middleweight title of the world. Solidifying him as the greatest Middleweight fighter of all time.
What a hell of a fight.
Stay tuned to the UFC for next month as Aljamain Sterling defends his bantamweight title belt against Henry Cejudo on May 6, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey! Welcome UFC 288!
