UFC 287 numbers prove Miami’s growth in MMA in 20 years, and local hero Jorge Masvidal retires

It’s safe to say it won’t take 20 more years for UFC to return to Miami.

More like one year.

With a sold-out crowd of 19,032 for UFC 287 on Saturday, UFC President Dana White was much happier than he was 20 years ago for UFC 42 in Miami at the same venue. That solid show in 2003 -- with Matt Hughes, Sean Sherk, Robbie Lawler, Rich Franklin and more -- drew just 6,700.

White vowed not to return. Who could blame him.

On Saturday, UFC 287 (Adesanya/Pereira 2) not only drew a massive sold out crowd, but the event grossed $11.9 million, making it the highest grossing event in the history of that long-standing Miami arena now named the Kaseya Center. It even beat UFC 281 (Adesanya/Pereira I) at Madison Square Garden, which grossed $11.5 million.

“Unbelievable. You think the last time we came here we did a gate of $446,000,” White said at the post-fight press conference, “and now we just beat Madison Squre Garden. I’d been saying this all week. Miami reminds me of L.A. 10 years ago. This place is booming...This place is cool, incredible as ever. I’m glad we came here. It was a cool experience...We’re in. We’re coming back to Miami.”

Here is the Dana White UFC 287 post-show press conference, which he discusses UFC 287, the return to Miami, big numbers, the fighters, Jorge Masvidal, other UFC destinations, President Donald Trump in attendance, the UFC/WWE merger and more.

There was some good from UFC 42 in 2003. One of the few in attendance, Miami’s Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal. A then well-known street fighter, he went to the show, and the action inspired him to become an MMA fighter.

Twenty years later, the much-heralded Masvidal found himself in the co-main event of UFC 287 with tremendous support from the hometown crowd and those in attendance from South Florida training center American Top Team, where he is a staple.

At the Kaseya Center Saturday, Masvidal (35-17) lost to Gilbert Burns (22-5) of Kill Cliff FC (formerly Sanford MMA and Hard Knocks 365), also in South Florida, about seven miles from ATT. Burns won by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). During the post-fight interview in the octagon, Masvidal announced his retirement from MMA fighting.

Masvidal told UFC commentator Joe Rogan: “This is where I started my career. It’s been a long 20 years, 50-something fights. You know sometimes your favorite basketball player doesn’t have that 3-pointer anymore. Your favorite quarterback loses that rifle. I don’t feel the same when I get in here no more. UFC came here 20 years ago, and it inspired me to chase this dream for 20 years, 50-something fights later. Hopefully I inspired somebody in here to go fight for theirs, no matter what it is.

“I’m a multi-millionaire now. I didn’t have nothing when I started. I’m good for life now.”

Masvidal has already started another career, promoting events under the Gambred banner, i.e. Gamebred Boxing and Gamebred Fighting Championship Bare Knuckle MMA.

In Masvidal’s corner for his final MMA fight included ATT coach Mike Brown and ATT teammate Johnny Eblen, the Bellator middleweight champion.

As for the main event on Saturday, a UFC middleweight championship rematch, Israel Adesanya (24-2) regained the title by beating Alex Pereira (7-2) by knockout at 4:21 of the second round.

During the show, the crowd erupted when President Donald Trump appeared to Kid Rock’s “American Badass,” and he was escorted to ringside along with Kid Rock. Mike Tyson seated ringside, too. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) said hello to Trump.

More results: EARLY PRELIMS: Women’s Strawweight: Sam Hughes d. Jacqueline Amorim by unan. dec. (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Featherweight: Steve Garcia d. Shaylian Nuerdanbieke by KO (R2, 0:36). Catchweight: Ignacio Bahamondes d. Trey Ogden by unan. dec. (30-37, 30-27, 29-28). PRELIMS: Women’s Strawweight: Loopy Godinez d. Cynthia Calvillo by split dec. (28-29, 29-28, 30-27). Middleweight: Joe Pyfer d. Gerald Meerschaert by TKO (R1, 3:15). Women’s Strawweight: Luana Pinheiro d. Michelle Waterson-Gomez by split dec. (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum d. Chris Curtis by unan. dec. (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). MAIN CARD: Bantamweight: Christian Rodriguez d. Raul Rosas Jr. by unan. dec. 29-28, 29-28, 29-28. Welterweight: Kevin Holland d. Santiago Ponzinibbio by KO (R3, 3:16). Bantamweight: Rob Font d. Adrian Yanez by TKO (R1, 2:57).

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