On Sunday, September 10, 2023, Sean Strickland made history in the world of mixed martial arts by becoming the new UFC Middleweight champion, defeating New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya.
In a surprising turn of events, the American fighter achieved a unanimous decision victory over Adesanya during the main event of UFC 293, marking a significant moment in modern UFC history.
Adesanya, widely known as “The Last Stylebender,” entered the fight against Strickland after reclaiming the UFC Middleweight title earlier in the year from Alex Pereira.
Strickland’s path to victory was defined by his dominant performance, earning him the highly sought-after UFC Middleweight championship title. Throughout five rounds, Strickland effectively controlled the fight, preventing the champion from initiating any significant strikes.
In the first round, Strickland delivered a powerful blow that visibly rattled Adesanya, setting the tone for the rest of the bout.
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.
