- In the first round, Strickland delivered a powerful blow that left Adesanya visibly shaken as the round came to a close
- As the fight progressed into the second round, Strickland maintained his patience, searching for another significant blow while Adesanya continued to retreat
On Sunday, September 10, 2023, Sean Strickland achieved a significant victory in the world of mixed martial arts by becoming the new UFC Middleweight champion, defeating Israel Adesanya of New Zealand.
In a historic upset, the American fighter secured a unanimous decision victory over Adesanya during the main event of UFC 293, marking a turning point in modern UFC history.
Adesanya, renowned as “The Last Stylebender,” entered the match against Strickland after recapturing the UFC Middleweight title earlier in the year from Alex Pereira.
Sean Strickland’s path to victory was characterized by a dominant performance, earning him the coveted UFC Middleweight championship title. Throughout five rounds, Strickland effectively kept Adesanya on the defensive, preventing the champion from engaging in striking exchanges.
In the first round, Strickland delivered a powerful blow that left Adesanya visibly shaken as the round came to a close.
As the fight progressed into the second round, Strickland maintained his patience, searching for another significant blow while Adesanya continued to retreat.
Adesanya did manage to land some noteworthy punches, pushing Strickland back, but Strickland’s aggression persisted.
In the third round, Adesanya struggled to find his jab, while Strickland kept up the pressure.
This pattern continued into the fourth and fifth rounds, with Adesanya often finding himself on the defensive against Strickland’s relentless attacks.
By the fifth round, Adesanya was unable to execute his trademark left and right combination, sealing Strickland’s victory and his ascent to the UFC Middleweight championship.