UFC champion Israel Adesanya to defend title against Sean Strickland
- Doug Mattushek
- 9 August 2023
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will face Sean Strickland for the title at UFC 293 in Sydney.
Ladies and gentlemen, Israel Adesanya v Dricus du Plessis is on the backburner, for now.
The duo looked set to fight on the blockbuster 10 September card in Sydney, but injuries and a nine-week turnaround time are two insurmountable obstacles for title-hopeful du Plessis… and fair enough.
The development put the UFC in a predicament, with Adesanya lacking a dance partner for his 'home' (Nigeria? New Zealand? China? Australia?) event.
Nonetheless, in its place, fans can look forward to what is sure to be a press conference for the ages when the trash-talking Strickland squares up against loose-lipped Adesanya. The fight itself, however, may not be so back-and-forth…
UFC overlord Dana White announced the UFC 293 headliner on Tuesday.
"What I love about Israel (is) he's always ready to take on the best in the world - anyone, any time," said White.
"And Strickland is an absolute maniac, who doesn't back down from anyone. This will be a great fight."
Apart from number one contender du Plessis, Adesanya has practically cleaned out the middleweight division and is coming off a KO win over the dangerous Alex Pereira.
Meanwhile, Strickland earned a Performance of the Night bonus with his TKO victory over Abusupiyan Magomedov in July, his 11th career knockout.
Taking to social media this week, Strickland pointed out how he's always coming to the UFC's rescue.
"UFC history: Sean fight this good guy on a 2 day notice. "Sure"… Sean fight this guy we want to be the next big name in the top 5 if he beats you. "Sure"… Sean we might have you fly across the world on a 5 week notice to fight the Chinese Champion. "Sure"…. LMAO………"
The outspoken American makes a fair point.
On 10 September, we find out if he's a worthy opponent for Adesanya or the UFC's sacrificial lamb.
Here is the current card for UFC 293:
Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland - For the title
Tai Tuivasa vs. Alexander Volkov
Kai Kara-France vs. Manel Kape
Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane
Viviane Araujo vs. Jennifer Maia
Carlos Ulberg vs. Da Un Jung
Blood Diamond vs. Charlie Radtke
Tyson Pedro vs. Anton Turkalj
Brandon Jenkins vs. Chepe Mariscal
Shane Young vs. Gabriel Miranda
Jamie Mullarkey vs. John Makdessi
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