UFC 287: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya odds, picks and predictions

In a middleweight championship bout in the main event, Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya meet at UFC 287 at Kaseya Center in Miami. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The early prelims are on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET, while the prelims can be viewed on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET. The main card begins at 10 p.m. on Pay-Per-View.

Pereira takes the walk looking to protect the middleweight strap that he earned by posting a 5th-round KO/TKO at UFC 281 against Adesanya in November. He has won 3 of his 4 matchups since arriving at the UFC level, including 3 via knockout.

Pereira has a 5.23-to-3.93 significant strikes landed per minute advantage and has posted a 67.49% significant strikes accuracy percentage in his 4 bouts in the UFC.

Adesanya has dropped 2 of his past 5 fights after starting his professional career an impressive 20-0. When Pereira dropped him at Madison Square Garden last time out, it was the first time “The Last Stylebender” has been knocked out. The stoppage snapped a 4-bout streak of unanimous-decision finishes.

We’ve never seen Adesanya lose consecutive fights at any point during his professional career. However, Pereira used a combination of punishing calf kicks and tremendous punching power to turn the tide in the first matchup.

Watch  this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:13 a.m. ET.

• Fight result (2-way line): Pereira +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Adesanya -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
• Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -225 | Under +170)
• Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +110 | No -150)

UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya picks and predictions

Records: Pereira (7-1-0) | Adesanya (23-2-0)

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

The middleweight division is in good hands with Pereira and Adesanya at the top of the charts.

ADESANYA (-135) is the play on the 2-way line in Miami, as he looks to regain his strap. A win here likely sets up a trilogy fight.

Look for Stylebender to defend against the calf kicks much better, as he tries to keep Pereira at more of a distance. Adesanya will go back to basics, looking to keep his opponent at arm’s length, while wowing the judges with his technique.

Over/Under (O/U)

Looking to METHOD OF VICTORY: ADESANYA BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISION (+175) is a solid play for a chance to nearly double up.

If you don’t want to declare a winner, playing HOW WILL THE FIGHT FINISH? DECISION (+110) is also a value play.

There isn’t a lot of value in playing Over 2.5 Rounds (-225), as it will cost you more than 2 times your potential return.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and us on Facebook.