In a historic clash that had the entire mixed martial arts (MMA) world buzzing, Sean Strickland pulled off an incredible upset against the legendary Israel Adesanya at Sean Strickland’s Sensational Upset – UFC 293 Middleweight Champion.
This epic showdown took place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and it was a night that will be remembered for years to come.
Table of Contents
The Shock Heard ‘Round the World of UFC 293 Middleweight Champion
A Unanimous Decision Victory
Sean Strickland entered the octagon as a heavy underdog and the fifth-ranked middleweight contender. However, he wasted no time making his presence felt. In the first round, Strickland unleashed a left-right combination that split Adesanya’s guard and sent shockwaves through the MMA world. The American fighter dropped Adesanya with a resounding thud, leaving the champion clearly hurt.
Adesanya, in a desperate attempt to weather the storm, even turned his back to Strickland, who seized the opportunity to unleash a relentless assault, nearly finishing the fight in the very first round.
Relentless Pressure and Poised Boxing
From that point onward, Strickland continued to exert relentless forward-fighting pressure and displayed a masterful exhibition of poised boxing. His constant movement and calculated strikes kept Adesanya on the defensive throughout the fight. This approach unsettled Adesanya, preventing him from finding his rhythm and utilizing the dynamic striking that had made him “The Last Stylebender.”
Throughout the match, Strickland stood solid and upright behind his jab, delivering stiff shots that caught the champion’s attention. The judges couldn’t help but recognize Strickland’s dominance, scoring the fight 49-46 in his favor and sealing his fate as the new middleweight world champion.
UFC 293: The Complete Picture
Here’s a breakdown of how the entire UFC 293 event unfolded:
Sean Strickland’s Historic Triumph
All three judges unanimously scored the fight 49-46 in favor of Sean Strickland. His victory was a result of his unwavering pressure and steady, upright boxing, marking a memorable moment in MMA history.
Round 5: Adesanya’s Final Push
In the fifth and final round, the champion came out with increased aggression, determined to defend his title. He unleashed a series of leg kicks and looked to capitalize on Strickland’s movements. With just three minutes left, Adesanya continued to move laterally around the cage, attempting to find an opening. Strickland connected with a right hand, but Adesanya responded with a right of his own.
As the clock ticked down, both fighters gave it their all. Strickland maintained his steady pressure and boxing, leaving spectators eager to see how the judges would score this round.
Round 4: Adesanya’s Struggles
Throughout the fourth round, Adesanya found himself constantly on the back foot due to Strickland’s relentless forward movement. Adesanya expended a considerable amount of energy navigating the octagon, searching for a way to turn the tide in his favor.
Strickland, patient and composed, landed combinations, including a left hook, while Adesanya attempted to press forward with right-hand strikes. The halfway point of the round saw Strickland continuing to apply pressure, and the champion responded with a brilliant switch right hand, followed by a right-left combination. Despite Adesanya’s efforts, Strickland remained a formidable opponent.
Round 3: A Balanced Exchange
Strickland’s corner urged him to incorporate some grappling into the fight, highlighting the tactical nature of their approach. Strickland continued to move forward steadily, prompting Adesanya to switch between fighting forward and retreating to the back foot. Both fighters exchanged right-hand strikes, with Strickland occasionally missing with a right hand.
The round remained closely contested, with Strickland landing enough clean shots late in the round to secure a narrow victory in the eyes of the judges.
Round 2: Adesanya’s Recovery
Adesanya, after narrowly escaping the first-round onslaught, regained his composure in the second round. He initiated the round by peppering Strickland with jabs and leg kicks. The champion continued to read his opponent’s movements and attempted to establish his rhythm and flow. Strickland, showing patience, didn’t engage as actively in this round. Adesanya landed a jab to Strickland’s midsection, followed by a leg kick.
Although Strickland managed to connect with a nice jab, Adesanya responded with a powerful overhand right, causing Strickland to graze him with a right in the closing seconds.
Round 1: Strickland’s Explosive Start
The fight began without the traditional glove touch, setting the tone for the intensity to come. Strickland sought to inch closer to his opponent but received a head kick that narrowly missed its mark. Strickland’s constant forward movement was met with Adesanya’s leg kicks, which found their target. Strickland maintained an upright fighting stance, which left him vulnerable to Adesanya’s counters.
However, Strickland found an opening and landed a massive right hand that sent Adesanya tumbling to the canvas. Adesanya was in serious trouble, with his back turned to Strickland, who unloaded a series of devastating right-hand punches.
In Closing
UFC 293 will forever be remembered as the night Sean Strickland orchestrated a remarkable upset, dethroning Israel Adesanya to become the new middleweight world champion. This historic victory epitomizes the essence of MMA—unpredictable, thrilling, and awe-inspiring.
