Israel Adesanya has the advantage over Alex Pereira heading into their UFC 287 middleweight title rematch, according to oddsmakers.
Adesanya (23-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC), the former longtime UFC middleweight champion, will attempt to regain the title in the April 8 pay-per-view headliner when he challenges a familiar foe in Pereira (7-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), who took the belt with a come-from-behind fifth-round TKO at UFC 281 in November.
It was the third time the pair had met in combat sports competition, and Pereira is up 3-0 with two knockouts. Despite that, Adesanya has won the majority of the rounds overall inside the ring or cage, but has allowed his Brazilian rival to stage multiple comebacks.
With the MMA rematch now official, Adesanya is the -155 betting favorite (bet $155 to win $100), while Pereira is listed as the +135 underdog (bet $100 to win $135), according to Draft Kings Sportsbook.
Adesanya’s defeat at UFC 281 was the first in his career at middleweight. Pereira, meanwhile, claimed gold in just his fourth octagon appearance.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 287.
