In the main event of UFC 293, Israel Adesanya lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland. The latter imposed himself on the decision.
Watch..the last moments of Shawn Strickland's fight bullying Adesanya. #UFC293
شاهد..آخر لحظات قتال شون ستريكلاند تنمر فيها على أديسانيا. #UFC293 pic.twitter.com/KPE2spJJPi
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) September 10, 2023
Sean Strickland became the latest in a long list of evidence that anything can happen in the UFC. The 32-year-old pulled off a stunner with a unanimous win over Israel Adesanya to become the middleweight champion at UFC 293 from Qudos Bank Arena in Los Angeles.
Watch…Shawn Strickland's powerful punch that knocked down Adesanya 🔥 #fight #mma #boxing #ufc #fighter
شاهد..لكمة شون ستريكلاند القوية التي اسقطنت اديسانيا 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9lg4rHeuCs
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) September 10, 2023
While Adesanya was expected to walk through Strickland he got a wake up call in the first round. Strickland was competitive throughout the round but really raised eyebrows when he dropped Adesanya with a clean right hand.
Watch.. Adesanya's face and bright eyes?!
شاهد.. وجه اديسانيا وتبليق العينان ؟.!#fight #mma #boxing #ufc #fighter #kickboxing #fitness #muaythai #martialarts #training #bjj #sport #fighting #jiujitsu #motivation #fights #wrestling #gym #karate #love #workout #champion pic.twitter.com/DaqfUjalzp
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) September 10, 2023
Round 1: Strickland tries to enter the champion’s guard. Adesanya, not very enterprising, is content to keep his distance against ‘Tarzan’. The debates take place standing up, and the challenger accelerates at the end of the round. Sean Strickland surprises Adesanya and knocks him down before continuing. The American fails to finish the fight, and ‘Izzy’ is saved by the bell.
Holy hell, Strickland nearly won by first-round KO. As it is, he takes first 10-9. Izzy was in big trouble and didn't look good going to the corner. #UFC293
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) September 10, 2023
Strickland didn’t relent, either. Adesanya fired back salvos of his own, but it was Strickland who consistently controlled the pace. The rounds were competitive but Strickland’s pressure and volume carried the fight in the middle rounds.
Strickland’s defense wasn’t to be overlooked either.
(Unofficial) head strike accuracy through 3.5 rounds:
44% – Strickland
12% – Adesanya#UFC293— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) September 10, 2023
Heading into the fifth round there was a general consensus that Strickland was up on the cards and that Adesanya would need a finish.
3-1 Strickland. If anyone can land a R5 knockout it's Israel, but he has generated next to zero offense this entire fight. Strickland is just beating him. This will be the biggest upset in UFC 185 pound title fight history if Strickland gets it done.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 10, 2023
