Preview: UFC 287 ‘Pereira vs. Adesanya 2’

Bantamweights

#12 BW | Adrian Yanez (16-3, 5-0 UFC) vs. #6 BW | Rob Font (19-6, 9-5 UFC)

ODDS: Yanez (-180), Font (+155)

The bantamweight division once again provides one of the highlights of this card. Even though it has been nearly a year since Yanez has stepped inside the cage, it speaks to his talent and success that it does not feel like his career has lost much momentum in the time since. Already a sentimental favorite thanks to his life story, Yanez quickly established himself as an exciting striker with blistering knockout power, even if there was some concern that he could get over the hump to contender status. Even if Yanez’s game is still a bit one-dimensional, he has been good enough at what he does that it has not mattered much. Yanez can take a while to get going but brings some defensive slickness and impressive comfort under fire to the table that usually allows him to come out ahead in any exchanges. That willingness to walk himself through offense could come back to cost Yanez at some point. Even if his durability holds up, Yanez has already had some close scorecards dot his career against opponents he could not knock out. Font should make for an interesting litmus test for whether or not Yanez can carry his approach up to contender status.

Font is in a frustrating spot given the results of his last two fights, where he seemingly did everything possible to put himself in the title mix only to be turned away with two losses. Font’s rise was slow and steady. His UFC career was initially derailed due to injuries, after which he seemed to have a clear ceiling as an offensively potent fighter who could shrink against more aggressive competition. However, a 2019 win over Ricky Simon served as a breakout performance where Font put in 15 minutes of consistent work against a high-paced opponent, which led to a winning streak that eventually found him earning main event status. His first headlining affair against Cody Garbrandt went well enough, but bouts against Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera followed a distressingly similar script. Font was clearly the more consistent fighter who controlled most of the bout from a time standpoint, but Aldo and Vera were each able to rock him with a few bursts of offense that were enough to win rounds and the fights as a result. It is hard to fault Font for anything he did, as he worked his usual solid gameplan around his jab and hung tough against each opponent for 25 minutes, which makes it all the more difficult to see how he can get past what looks like his new ceiling. That also could make this a tough rebound fight, as it follows much the same template. Font is likely going to put together more success over the course of 15 minutes, particularly before Yanez starts to warm up. However, it is also difficult to see him making up the difference when Yanez is likely able to connect with some of his hard offense. It is a bit of a bet on career momentum in what could be a relatively even fight when all is said and done, but the pick is Yanez via decision.

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Pereira vs. Adesanya
Burns vs. Masvidal
Yanez vs. Font
Holland vs. Ponzinibbio
Rosas Jr. vs. Rodriguez
The Prelims