Strickland Dominates Adesanya, Earns Title In Shocking Upset At UFC 293

Culminating an exciting evening at UFC 293 in Australia, Sean Strickland has achieved the unthinkable, defeating Israel Adesanya in a 5-round stand-up war to achieve the UFC middleweight title.

STRICKLAND STUNS ADESANYA TO CLAIM THE MIDDLEWEIGHT CROWN 🏆 #UFC293 pic.twitter.com/9zNWmNI8iw

— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2023

Despite an “obvious” mismatch in the eyes of many, including the betting experts who had “The Last Stylebender” as an enormous -600 favorite, Strickland managed to find several opportunities to capitalize on openings while constantly bringing the fight to the two-time champion’s front porch.

One of the most important opportunities that Strickland capitalized on was in the first round, when Adesanya opened up with a left hook following one of Strickland’s many on-point jabs. Just as Adesanya loaded up to throw the hook, Strickland caught him with a piston-like right cross that immediately put him on the canvas.

From there, Strickland was all over his opponent, landing rapid punches in an effort to end the night early. Adesanya would get to his feet and survive the round, but this knockdown set the pace for what was to come for the next 20 minutes.

Strickland’s knockdown in the first round is the only knockdown Adesanya has suffered in his UFC career 😳

WHAT A PERFORMANCE 👏 #UFC293 pic.twitter.com/hXYIr69DEd

— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2023

Throughout the fight, Strickland continued to march forward behind a consistent jab-cross combo, exhausting Adesanya by forcing him to remain constantly on the move.

The forward pressure style paid off in spades for Strickland, as he was able to nullify the attacks, except for a few moments of success, of one of the best strikers that MMA has ever seen. Additionally, Strickland’s dedication to his game plan disrupted the rhythm of Adesanya, who seemed to not be able to get around the defensive minded strategy of his opponent.

#AndNEW middleweight champion of the world, @SStricklandMMA ! 👏

[ #UFC293 | B2YB @NewAmsterdam ] pic.twitter.com/56xbxm6Anp

— UFC (@ufc) September 10, 2023

Through this monumental victory, the newly crowned middleweight champion Sean “Tarzan” Strickland (28-5) has become the second fighter to defeat Adesanya at 185-pounds, and only the third ever to beat him in MMA.

“I’m still waiting to wake up”@SStricklandMMA is living the dream after #UFC293 🏆 pic.twitter.com/VOLxMSxw1n

— UFC (@ufc) September 10, 2023

Official Decision: Sean Strickland def. Israel Adesanya via Decision (Unanimous) – 49-46 x3

Full Card Results:

Main Card

• Main Event: Sean Strickland def. Israel Adesanya via Decision (Unanimous) – 49.46, 49-46, 49-46
• Co-Main Alexander Volkov def. Tai Tuivasa via Submission (Ezekiel Choke) – Round 2, 4:37
• Manel Kape def. Felipe dos Santos via Decision (Unanimous)
• Justin Tafa def. Austen Lane via KO (Left Hook and Ground Strikes) – Round 1, 1:22
• Tyson Pedro def. Anton Turkalj via KO (Jab-Cross and Ground Strikes) – Round 1, 2:12

Preliminary Card

• Carlos Ulberg def. Da Un Jung via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 3, 4:49
• Chepe Mariscal def. Jack Jenkins via TKO (Arm Injury) – Round 2, 3:19
• Jamie Mullarkey def. John Makdessi via Decision (Unanimous)
• Nasrat Haqparast def. Landon Quinones via Decision (Unanimous)

Early Prelims

• Charlie Radtke def. Mike Mathetha via Decision (Unanimous)
• Gabriel Miranda def. Shane Young via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 1, 0:59
• Kevin Jousset def. Kiefer Crosbie via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 1, 4:49