Israel Adesanya was on a tear like no other, until he ran into his personal boogeyman. Alex Pereira did to Izzy what he did to him in kickboxing; knocking him out. Something no one in MMA had been able to do. Can Izzy regain his belt?

Here are some specifics for UFC 287. The early prelims start at 6pm and the prelims start at 8. main card is at 10pm . All of it is on ESPN+ and it cost $80

I will give you my predictions in the order the fights are to take place. All odds are courtesy of Bet MGM. The King of Sports Books! For new users head on over there and use the promocode PatEgan and get your first bet RISK FREE up to $1K

In 2022 I hit on 58% of picks. In 2022 I hit on 65% of “locks”. Admittedly its been a SLOW start in 2023 but its a minor setback for a MAJOR comeback.

This season I’m 46-34-1 (16-10 locks)

(10-5 last fight card. 4-1 on locks)

PRELIMS

Jaqueline Amorim

Shayilan Nuerdanbieke

Ignacio Bahamondes

Lupita Godinez (lock)

Karl Williams

Joe Pyfer (lock)

Michelle Waterson-Gomez

Chris Curtis

MAIN EVENT TIME

• Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodriguez

  Raul Rosas Jr is “the next one”. The youngest fighter on the UFC roster, he passed his first test with EASE and he will pass this one. Christian Rodriguez is a sacrificial lamb for the Rosas Jr. hype train. Nothing more.

  Raul Rosas Jr. (lock)

• Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio

  This one is a really difficult call because I simply dont know what either of these guys are. I really like both fighters, but they both hit a skid with Holland facing a 2 fight losing streak and Ponzinibbio is 2-3 in his last fight although he is heading into this fight with a win thanks to a KO of Alex Morono. But let me dissect both of those recent fights. Holland was piecing Stephen Thompson up until he broke his hand. Ponzinibbio was getting pieced up until he caught Morono. Couldve, wouldve shouldve, but it leads to me just not having a great feel on where these two are in their careers.

  Im going to go Kevin Holland because I think he is the crisper striker and I think this remains on the feet. I do think Ponzinibbio posses more power, but Holland will pick and pop until eventually it becomes too much for Ponzinibbio until he falls.

  Kevin Holland

• Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez

  What a BANGER of a fight. This one has fight of the night written all over it. Rob Font fancys himself as the best boxer in the division. Adrian Yanez can crack with the best of them. Take the over, and take Yanez. Yanez should have the power advantage in this one and I think he lands a shot that puts the lights out on Font

  Adrian Yanez

• Gilbert Bruns vs. Jorge Masvidal

  Masvidal might be the most overrated, overhyped fighter in the sport. His wins arent impressive, except for maybe Darren Till who was prime Till. The flying knee against Askren was impressive and put him on the map for a lot of people, but he followed it up by beating journeyman Nate Diaz at a weight class that benefited Masvidal. When he faces top talent in the division he gets mauled. Thats what happens in this one. Burns will absolute dominate this one from pillar to post.

  Gilbert Burns (lock)

• Alex Pereira (C) vs Israel Adesanya

  Izzy was doing Izzy things, until he got caught. It truly looked like he was going to cruise to an easy 50-45 victory and then Alex Pereira did to Izzy what he did to him in kickboxing, by hitting him with the power of 1000 suns. So can Izzy avoid Pereira’s power shot for 25 minutes?

  Many think that Izzy will wrestle in this one, and I think he will but I also dont think it will be nearly as much as some think. I think Izzy will hammer Pereira’s lead leg to immobilize him. Pereira will still have his power but the leg will hinder how much he puts on it. I think Izzy wins this one via decision.

  Israel Adesanya (lock)

• Parlays

  Since BET MGM is the king of parlay’s here is how the parlay odds look!

  if you take every one of my picks and parlay them on BetMGM, wagering $100 you’d win $20,897 (+20797)
  If you just parlay the prelims, using all my picks and wagering $100 you would walk away with $3,252 (+3152)
  Parlay the main card, taking all my picks and wagering $100 you would cash in $642 (+542)
  And if you just want to take my locks and parlay them on BetMGM, wagering $100 you would win $717 (+617)

  Odds subject to change. Good luck!

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