Sean Strickland claimed one of the most stunning upset title victories in MMA history when he outpointed Israel Adesanya in a middleweight championship match at UFC 293, held at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, on the morning of Sunday 10 September 2023.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. 😳
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 10, 2023
🏆 SEAN STRICKLAND HAS SHOCKED THE WORLD TO BECOME CHAMPION! #UFC293 pic.twitter.com/sKnUKMLNic
Nigerian-born Adesanya was regarded as the overwhelming favourite against Strickland, who has been seen as somewhat of an also-ran in the division in recent years, and was only given this opportunity when South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis (the original slated opponent for this title bout) was forced to withdraw with an injury.
Strickland’s victory was based on putting Adesanya under relentless pressure and nullifying the champion’s usual precise kick-boxing. In fact, ‘Tarzan’ nearly forced a stoppage with a flurry of strikes in Round 1.
‘The Last Stylebender’ survived and enjoyed a better showing in Round 2, though that seemed to be more due to Strickland’s dropping his pace and conserving his energy somewhat. Through Rounds 3, 4 and 5, Adesanya never gained any sense of control, allowing Strickland to continue to move forward and nullify the champion’s offence. In the end, Strickland was announced “and new middleweight champion of the world” with a unanimous decision triumph – 49-46 on all three judges’ score cards.
“You guys know, Izzy is a bad mother****er, guys," Strickland said after his historic win. "He's beaten the majority of my friends pretty easily. I was doubting myself at times but the fans in Australia, you motivated me ... In the fourth round, when I heard you yelling, it motivated me, guys.”
The rest of the main card saw Alexander Volkov submit home favourite Tai Tuivasa in the second round of their heavyweight co-main event; Angola’s Manel Kape outpointed Felipe Dos Santos in their flyweight bout; Justin Tafa knocked out Austen Lane in a heavyweight match; and in the light heavyweight opener, Australian Tyson Pedro claimed a first-round stoppage of Anton Turkalj.
The UFC continues next weekend with a Fight Night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the morning of Sunday 17 September, headlined by a women’s flyweight championship match between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.
UFC 293 – Main card results
- Main event: Middleweight championship: Sean Strickland def. Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision (49-46 49-46 49-46), R5, 5:00
- Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov def. Tai Tuivasa via submission (ezekiel choke), R2, 4:37
- Flyweight: Manel Kape def. Felipe Dos Santos via unanimous decision (30-27 29-28 29-28(, R3, 5:00
- Heavyweight: Justin Tafa def. Austen Lane via KO (punches), R1, 1:22
- Light Heavyweight: Tyson Pedro def. Anton Turkalj via KO (punches), R1, 2:12