Israel Adesanya (left) and Alex Pereira (right)(image via YouTube).

By FCF Staff

As many expected would be the case, the UFC has booked Israel Adesanya for an immediate rematch with new, middleweight champ, Alex Pereira.

Ever since Pereira (7-1) ended Adesanya’s (23-2) reign last November, by stopping the star in round five, the expectation has been that the UFC would book a rematch.

On Friday, the UFC announced that the middleweights will battle in the headliner of UFC 287, which will take place on April 8. The venue and location for the card has yet to be announced.

The bout will mark the fourth time Pereira and Adesanya have fought, as Pereira also holds two wins over “The Last Stylebender” in kickboxing competition.

In addition, it’s been announced that Jorge Masvidal (35-16) will take on Gilbert Burns (21-5).

Masvidal is coming off a decision loss to Colby Covington last March and has dropped three straight.

Burns, meanwhile, recently submitted Neil Magny in the opening round and is 3-2 in his last 5 contests.