In 2022, a number of mixed martial arts champions lost their titles in exciting matches. Leon Edwards knocked out then-UFC Champion Kamaru Usman with less than a minute to go. Elsewhere, Larissa Pacheco shocked Kayla Harrison to win the PFL Lightweight Championship by decision. To top it all off, Alex Pereira stopped Israel Adesanya in the final round to claim the UFC Middleweight Championship.
One year later, Usman, Harrison and Adesanya will look to regain their titles. Usman is set to fight Edwards on March 18, 2023 at the O2 Arena in the U.K. Meanwhile, Harrison is set to kick off her latest PFL campaign this spring. Now, Adesanya has joined Harrison and Usman in their pursuit to regain titles.
On Friday, UFC President Dana White confirmed Israel Adensanya would fight Alex Pereira for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 287 in April. The event is expected to take place in Miami, Florida, but it is unclear what venue will host UFC 287.
Joining Adesanya and Pereira, Gilbert Burns is set to fight Jorge Masvidal in a welterweight bout. Kevin Holland and Santiago Ponzinibbio are also set to compete in a welterweight bout.
