UFC 293: Adesanya Will Face Strickland On September 9th

Israel Adesanya is set to face Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in his middleweight-title defense. 

Dana White confirmed that the bout will go ahead on September 9th, 2023, in Sydney, Australia.

Israel Adesanya will defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, UFC announced Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/IviXAe3ivx

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 8, 2023

‘The Last Stylebender’ won the title following a second-round stoppage of Alex Pereira to avenge his fifth-round TKO loss.

Meanwhile, Strickland is on a two-fight-win streak. He secured a second-round KO by beating Abus Magomedov in his last fight, following his win over Nassourdine Imavov.

Adesanya was initially expected to face Dricus Du Plessis following the latter’s win over Robert Whittaker.

As both fighters squared off in the octagon in the aftermath, there was an expectation that the fight would happen next.

However, given the turnaround time coupled with Du Plessis’ foot problem, the attention turned elsewhere. 

Thereafter, Adesanya targeted Strickland as the fight has now been confirmed.

BREAKING: Sydney, your #UFC293 main event is official!! 🚨🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/D2t7xTy8Ns

— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2023

“What’s up, everybody!? UFC president Dana White here. UFC 293 is in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, September 9th. The main event: Israel Adesanya defends his title against 5th ranked Sean Strickland.

“This will be Adesanya’s 11th consecutive UFC title fight. What I love about Israel? He’s always ready to take on the best in the world; anyone, anytime. And Strickland is an absolute maniac who doesn’t back down from anyone. This will be a great fight,” White said